Built for farmers, trusted by everyone who works outdoors
The Isuzu D-Max is the pickup truck of choice for farmers, tradespeople and rural buyers who need a genuinely tough workhorse rather than a lifestyle accessory. Isuzu focuses exclusively on commercial and off-road vehicles, giving the D-Max authentic working credentials that rivals like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux match at a higher price. It has earned a reputation as the most no-nonsense pickup on sale.
We track 5 known issues across the Isuzu D-MAX range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Isuzu D-MAX? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Gen1 (2003–2012) — Engine options included the 2.5L Diesel. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Excessive suspension bush and joint wear (£200–£500 to address).
Gen2 (2012–2020) — Engine options included the 2.5L Diesel, 1.9L Diesel. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Excessive suspension bush and joint wear (£200–£500 to address).
Gen3 (2020–2024) — Engine options included the 1.9L Diesel. We track 4 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Excessive suspension bush and joint wear (£200–£500 to address).
The D-Max shows exceptionally high rates of suspension component wear, particularly bushes, ball joints and anti-roll bar links. MOT data shows this model fails at up to 85.8 times the fleet average for suspension bush and joint wear across all mileage bands. This is attributed to the commercial vehicle chassis design and heavy-duty use patterns, where suspension components face higher loads than typical passenger cars. The problem affects both front and rear suspension equally and is progressive rather than sudden failure.
Worn suspension bushes and joints compromise vehicle handling, increase tyre wear, and can affect braking stability. Multiple components typically need replacement simultaneously due to the interconnected nature of suspension geometry. Continued driving with severely worn components may lead to MOT failure and increased accident risk due to unpredictable handling characteristics.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
D-Max vehicles show wheel bearing failure at 55.8 times the national fleet average, with failures occurring across all mileage bands including unusually early failures at 20,000-40,000 miles. This is likely due to the commercial vehicle specification and heavier loading compared to passenger cars. Both front and rear bearings are affected, with the problem being progressive - bearings develop play gradually before eventual failure.
Worn wheel bearings create safety risks through reduced steering precision and potential wheel detachment in extreme cases. The bearing will eventually seize or collapse completely, potentially causing loss of vehicle control. Continued driving with a failing bearing causes damage to the hub assembly, increasing repair costs significantly.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
D-Max vehicles with towbars show failure rates 72.8 times higher than the fleet average for towbar component damage, corrosion, or fracture. This affects the 2.5L diesel variants most severely and is likely related to the heavy-duty towing use these vehicles typically see. The failures include towbar mounting point corrosion, electrical socket damage, and mechanical component fracture due to repeated loading cycles.
Failed towbar components present serious safety risks when towing, potentially leading to trailer detachment with catastrophic consequences. Even without towing, damaged mounting points can indicate structural corrosion that may spread to other chassis areas. The vehicle may fail its MOT test and be prohibited from towing until repairs are completed.
Check panel gaps are even and consistent all the way around the car. Look for signs of repainting — overspray on rubber seals, mismatched paint texture or colour differences between panels. Open and close all doors, the boot and bonnet to check alignment.
MOT data reveals D-Max vehicles fail at This typically manifests as CV joint failure, propshaft universal joint wear, or transfer case components on 4WD variants. The commercial vehicle duty cycle and potential for overloading contributes to accelerated wear of these drivetrain components compared to passenger cars.
Failed transmission components can lead to loss of drive to one or more wheels, potentially leaving the vehicle immobilised. CV joint failure is progressive but can occur suddenly, while universal joint failure in the propshaft creates dangerous vibrations and potential shaft detachment. Continued operation with worn components causes damage to adjacent parts, escalating repair costs.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
MOT data shows D-Max vehicles fail at 29 times the fleet average for shock absorber bush wear, with failures most common at higher mileages but occurring across all age ranges. The bushes that mount the shock absorbers to the chassis and suspension arms deteriorate due to the commercial vehicle's heavier duty cycle and loading. This issue is separate from shock absorber internal failure and specifically affects the rubber mounting components.
Worn shock absorber bushes reduce the effectiveness of the suspension system and allow excessive movement of the shock absorber assembly. This leads to increased wear on other suspension components and reduced ride comfort. The vehicle remains safe to drive but will eventually fail its MOT test and may develop more expensive suspension problems if left unrepaired.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Isuzu D-MAX common problems page.
Based on 155k real DVSA MOT tests, the Isuzu D-MAX fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is electrical wiring fault at 284x the fleet average, followed by towbar fault (79x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Isuzu D-MAX MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Isuzu D-MAX service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Isuzu D-MAX is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2021-2023 new-generation models are the best, with a dramatically improved interior, more safety tech and five-star NCAP rating. The mid-2023 facelift added updated styling. Pre-2021 models from 2017-2020 offer proven mechanicals at lower prices.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Isuzu D-MAX, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Isuzu D-MAX issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.