2012 Isuzu Rodeo — MOT failures & pass rate
1,489 MOT tests on the 2012 Isuzu Rodeo are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail 24.6% of the time, so this is 1.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests against 13.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and shock absorbers — position lamp alone was recorded 113 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.4% versus 15.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 287 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 194 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.7% | 159 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 99 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 87 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 50 |
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 | 113 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 93 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 87 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 80 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 75 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 63 |
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 | 40.2% | 599 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.8% | 459 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.9% | 296 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 260 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 220 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.1% | 136 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 156 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 385 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 448 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 264 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 207 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 308 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 299 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 303 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 303 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 276 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Rodeo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 (10.7% 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 2012 Isuzu Rodeos pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 1,489 2012 Isuzu Rodeo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Isuzu Rodeo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 2012 Rodeo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,489 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.