2009 Isuzu Rodeo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,598 MOT tests, the 2009 Isuzu Rodeo recorded a 70.3% pass rate. Against pick-up trucks of a similar age (27.9% fail rate), the 2009 Rodeo comes out 1.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.5% of tests against 16.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — position lamp alone was recorded 359 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Rodeo fails 33.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 31.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.5% | 846 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 581 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.9% | 429 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 267 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 252 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 114 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 359 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 334 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 237 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 234 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 231 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 221 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.1% | 1,552 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.7% | 1,213 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 758 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 727 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.8% | 714 |
| 6 | Visibility | 9.6% | 345 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 30 | 33.3% |
| 30-60k | 215 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 707 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,075 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 872 | 31.2% |
| 150k+ | 689 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 853 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 791 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 765 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 625 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 564 | 32.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Rodeo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2009 Isuzu Rodeos pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 3,598 2009 Isuzu Rodeo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Isuzu Rodeo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.5% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2009 Rodeo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,598 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.