Isuzu D-Max Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Isuzu D-Max fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 52,153 MOT tests across 10 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: large car | Fuel: Diesel
81%
Isuzu D-Max pass rate
78%
Isuzu average
82%
All-model average
The Isuzu D-Max has an average MOT pass rate of 81%, which is 3 points above the Isuzu average and 1 point below the average across all models in our data. Newer Isuzu D-Maxs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
Check Your Isuzu D-Max's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the Isuzu D-Max Fails Its MOT On
Of the 8,448 MOT tests on the Isuzu D-Max that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
46%Cars and vans the same age: 30% (the D-Max fails on this more often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
37%Cars and vans the same age: 26% (the D-Max fails on this more often) · Typical repair £150-£600
Brakes
32%Cars and vans the same age: 20% (the D-Max fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
17%Cars and vans the same age: 15% · Typical repair £10-£350
Body, chassis and structure
17%Cars and vans the same age: 7.3% (the D-Max fails on this more often) · Typical repair £200-£1200
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Rear fog lamp: not working (15% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
- Shock absorber bush excessively worn (13% of failed tests, suspension)
- Position lamp: not working (11% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying an Isuzu D-Max? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
Isuzu D-Max Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each D-Max year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Isuzu D-Max Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Diesel | 1.9L | 85% | 14% | - |
| 2020 | Diesel | 1.9L | 86% | 13% | 92% (-6) |
| 2019 | Diesel | 1.9L | 85% | 14% | 91% (-6) |
| 2018 | Diesel | 1.9L | 83% | 17% | 89% (-6) |
| 2017 | Diesel | 2.5L | 80% | 19% | 87% (-7) |
| 2016 | Diesel | 2.5L | 80% | 19% | 86% (-6) |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.5L | 80% | 20% | 84% (-4) |
| 2014 | Diesel | 3.1L | 78% | 22% | 82% (-4) |
| 2013 | Diesel | 2.5L | 77% | 22% | 80% (-3) |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.5L | 75% | 25% | - |
Isuzu D-Max Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Isuzu D-Max? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View Isuzu D-Max Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
Isuzu D-Max FAQ
What are the most common Isuzu D-Max problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Isuzu D-Max that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (46% of the 8,448 failed tests), suspension (37%) and brakes (32%). The single most common fault was "Rear fog lamp: not working" (15%). Across 52,153 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 81% ended in a pass.
Is the Isuzu D-Max reliable?
The Isuzu D-Max has an average MOT pass rate of 81%, from 52,153 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed 5 points less often on average, so check the history of any example carefully.
Which Isuzu D-Max years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2017 (80% of 8,046 tests passed, against 87% for all 2017 cars), the 2016 (80% of 8,126 tests passed, against 86% for all 2016 cars) and the 2018 (83% of 6,944 tests passed, against 89% for all 2018 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Isuzu D-Max faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on an Isuzu D-Max typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Isuzu D-Max
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other Isuzu Models
Common problems pages for other Isuzu models