Isuzu Nkr MOT Failures

An analysis of 4,780 real DVSA MOT tests on the Isuzu Nkr — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: NKR55 (1996–2013).

Where the Isuzu Nkr fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Isuzu Nkr is track rod ends worn — this model is 248 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 4,780 MOT tests, 21.35% of all Isuzu Nkr tests recorded this as a failure.

Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.

Other notable weak points include abs fault (19x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (113x the fleet average), service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (23x the fleet average), and brakes imbalance across an axle (15x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Isuzu Nkr's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 4 categories: Steering, Suspension, Brakes, Wipers & Windscreen. If you're inspecting a Isuzu Nkr before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Isuzu Nkr's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Isuzu Nkr specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (34x the average) and exhaust system damage (7.6x). brake hoses perished or damaged (5.0x) and brake hoses perished or damaged also appear frequently.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Isuzu Nkr specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (113x the average) and coil springs broken (24x). service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (23x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (22x) also appear frequently.

The shift from track rod ends worn at lower mileages to free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Isuzu Nkr specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Structural corrosion compromising chassis rigidity (NKR55) Dangerous

The chassis rails and mounting points suffer accelerated corrosion due to commercial loading patterns and road salt exposure. Affects NKR55.

Excessive steering free play (NKR55) Dangerous

MOT testing reveals these vehicles develop excessive steering free play at 113x the fleet average rate, particularly beyond 120k miles. Affects NKR55.

Suspension component wear (NKR55) Major

Commercial loading accelerates wear of suspension components, particularly leaf spring bushes and shock absorber mountings. Affects NKR55.

Brake pipe corrosion (NKR55) Major

MOT testing shows brake pipes corrode at 3.5x the fleet average rate in high-mileage examples. Affects NKR55.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Isuzu Nkr common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Isuzu Nkr

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Isuzu Nkr:

Steering — check for track rod ends worn, free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Suspension — check for abs fault, coil springs broken, suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Brakes — check for service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, brakes imbalance across an axle.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion compromising chassis rigidity and excessive steering free play. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.