2004 Isuzu Trooper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,717 MOT tests, the 2004 Isuzu Trooper recorded a 74.8% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 25.3%, so the 2004 Trooper sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.1%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, position lamp and rigid brake pipes — joints alone was recorded 127 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.2% in the 30-60k band and 27.5% in the 150k+ band, a 16.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 225 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 214 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 197 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.9% | 188 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 115 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 75 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 127 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 120 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 106 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 87 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 85 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 75 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 38.9% | 667 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 583 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.4% | 471 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.3% | 468 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.2% | 295 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 220 |
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 | 89 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 244 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 453 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 370 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 552 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 486 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 386 | 23.6% |
| 2023 | 330 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 273 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 242 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Trooper
On a 2004 Trooper, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (11.5% 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 2004 Isuzu Troopers pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 1,717 2004 Isuzu Trooper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Isuzu Trooper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.5%).
Does the 2004 Trooper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.2% in the 30-60k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,717 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.