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ISUZU TF (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 42 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Diesel2499cc23 years old42 tests96k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2499cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2499cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ISUZU brand average of 78%.

At 23 years old, 64% of ISUZU TFs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 42 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 96,280 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars411th of 445(top 92%)
Rank among ISUZU models99th of 101(top 98%)
vs national average-18%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-8%(72% avg)
vs ISUZU average-14%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

96,280

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 ISUZU TF has 96,280 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2002 model with a 82% MOT pass rate, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2003 sits between the two at 64%.

ISUZU TF by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201274%570109,193 mi
201173%1,352112,480 mi
201072%693119,823 mi
200972%47114,297 mi
200869%35155,686 mi
200364%4296,280 mi
200282%51112,817 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2003 ISUZU TF

The 2003 ISUZU TF is a large car with a 2499cc diesel engine. 42 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 92% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 96,280 miles at 23 years old, ISUZU TF owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 ISUZU TF Fuel Costs

The 2499cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 ISUZU TF?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

ISUZU TF Reliability Trend

Older ISUZU TFs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2003 ISUZU TF

At 23 years old, the ISUZU TF is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2002 model has the highest pass rate at 82%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 ISUZU TF's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 96k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 ISUZU TF stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ISUZU TF(2003)64%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2395
BMW 3 SERIES(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£345
HONDA CIVIC(2005)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2005)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£345

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Explore other Isuzu cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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