2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,488 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes. Its pass rate of 85.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 104 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.4% | 66 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.4% | 65 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 52 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 49 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 66 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 54 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 44 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 38 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 33 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.2% | 286 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 169 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 84 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.3% | 64 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 60 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 45 |
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 | 474 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 698 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 232 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 60 | 15.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 732 | 13.7% |
| 2025 | 745 | 14.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 D-Max Utility
Before buying a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (4.4% 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 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utilitys pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 1,488 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by visibility (4.4%).
Does the 2021 D-Max Utility get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 15.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,488 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.