Isuzu Tf MOT pass rate & common failures
The Isuzu Tf appears in 10,611 MOT tests spanning model years 1997–2020, and 72.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.4% of the time, so this is 3.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests against 15.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and rigid brake pipes — position lamp alone was recorded 878 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.5% versus 19.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Tf model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 41 | 78.0% | 21.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 184 | 78.3% | 21.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 205 | 70.7% | 29.3% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2004 | 78 | 71.8% | 28.2% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2008 | 97 | 76.3% | 23.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 199 | 75.4% | 24.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 2,596 | 72.2% | 27.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 5,100 | 72.7% | 27.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 1,994 | 73.4% | 26.6% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 2,194 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 1,629 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 1,174 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 774 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 677 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 341 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 286 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.4% | 252 |
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 | 878 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 745 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 700 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 620 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 619 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 570 |
| 7 | Rear fog lamp | 528 |
| 8 | Stop lamp | 528 |
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 | 40.1% | 4,258 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.1% | 3,516 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 2,077 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.4% | 2,057 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 1,652 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 852 |
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 | 155 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 977 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,622 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,121 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,179 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,537 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,396 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 2,301 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 2,171 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 1,969 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 1,774 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a Isuzu Tf
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.3% 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 (11.1% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Isuzu Tf?
72.8% of the 10,611 Isuzu Tf MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 27.2% fail rate, across model years 1997–2020.
What does the Isuzu Tf most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests, then suspension (15.3%).
How much does mileage affect Tf MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 30.5% for 150k+, a 11.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,611 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.