2012 Isuzu Tf — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,994 MOT tests, the 2012 Isuzu Tf recorded a 73.4% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), the 2012 Tf comes out 5.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.8% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and ball joint — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 145 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.3% versus 13.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 394 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.9% | 298 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.0% | 219 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 130 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 130 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.7% | 73 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 145 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 143 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 141 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 121 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 97 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 89 |
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 | 38.2% | 761 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.2% | 622 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.2% | 363 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 348 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 225 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 133 |
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 | 37 | 13.5% |
| 30-60k | 209 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 589 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 586 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 347 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 223 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 420 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 425 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 408 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 376 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 365 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Tf
On a 2012 Tf, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.9% 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 (11.0% 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 Tfs pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 1,994 2012 Isuzu Tf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Isuzu Tf?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.8% of tests, followed by suspension (14.9%).
Does the 2012 Tf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,994 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.