2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 59.1% of Isuzu D-Max cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 3,651 D-Max first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Isuzu D-Max cars first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
59.1%
of 1,159 first tests; all cars first used in 2012: 63.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,651
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,159 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
20.9%
of 1,159 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
113,000
middle half: 90,000–136,500 miles; all cars first used in 2012: 92,000

How the 2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, D-Max cars first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the D-Max figure was 4.4 points lower.

2012 D-MaxAll cars first used in 2012
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2012, test year 2021: 68.8%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2022: 67.4%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2023: 65.6%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2024: 64.3%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2025: 63.5%2012 D-Max, test year 2021: 63.6%2012 D-Max, test year 2022: 63.6%2012 D-Max, test year 2023: 63.7%2012 D-Max, test year 2024: 62.1%2012 D-Max, test year 2025: 59.1%63.5%59.1%
View this chart as a table
Test year2012 D-MaxAll cars first used 2012D-Max first tests
202163.6%68.8%1,405
202263.6%67.4%1,377
202363.7%65.6%1,275
202462.1%64.3%1,217
202559.1%63.5%1,159

Common 2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT failures

Share of the 1,398 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment50.0%
Suspension43.6%
Brakes36.2%
Body, chassis, structure25.0%
Visibility17.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks11.2%
Tyres9.2%
Steering5.5%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Rear fog lamp: not working16.5%230
Position lamp: not working15.7%219
Ball joint: excessively worn12.9%180
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases11.6%162
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.9%138

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a D-Max in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Ball joint: excessively wornBall joint replacement£90£60–£150

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2012 Isuzu D-Max before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 D-Max cars, as a share of all 3,651 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material18.9%689
Wheel bearings: has slight play17.6%643
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.9%471
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases9.2%337
Ball joint: has slight play7.0%254

Questions about the 2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Isuzu D-Max?

In 2025, 59.1% of D-Max cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2012 D-Max most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 50.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (43.6%) and brakes (36.2%). The single most common item was “Rear fog lamp: not working” (16.5%).

How often does a 2012 Isuzu D-Max fail its MOT?

In 2025, 40.9% of first tests on D-Max cars first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 34.3% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,398 of 3,651 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 18.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (17.6%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.9%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (9.2%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (7.0%).

Is a 2012 Isuzu D-Max reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 63.6% in 2021 to 59.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2012

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2012 Isuzu D-Max MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2012 D-Max” means an Isuzu D-Max whose date of first use falls in 2012 (61, 12 and 62 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2012, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.