Isuzu Trooper MOT Failures
An analysis of 60,627 real DVSA MOT tests on the Isuzu Trooper — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: UBS55 (1991–2002).
Where the Isuzu Trooper fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Isuzu Trooper is free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... — this model is 116 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 60,627 MOT tests, 4.01% of all Isuzu Trooper 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 fixings missing or insecure (141x the fleet average), excessive radial movement between the top of th... (55x the fleet average), abs fault (40x the fleet average), and emissions failure (40x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Isuzu Trooper'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, Bodywork, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Isuzu Trooper 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 Trooper'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.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Isuzu Trooper specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (55x the average) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (15x). brake hoses perished or damaged (14x) and abs fault (14x) also appear frequently.
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 Trooper specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (116x the average) and excessive radial movement between the top of th... (55x). bumper insecure or with damage (54x) and body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (41x) 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 Trooper specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fixings missing or insecure (141x the average) and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (76x). excessive radial movement between the top of th... (49x) and emissions failure (40x) also appear frequently.
The shift from vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... at lower mileages to fixings missing or insecure 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 Trooper specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Chassis and body structural corrosion (UBS55) Dangerous
The Trooper suffers from severe structural corrosion affecting chassis rails, mounting points, and load-bearing body components. Affects UBS55; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£4,000.
Steering play and column bearing wear (UBS55) Major
The Trooper exhibits excessive steering wheel free play due to worn steering column top bearing and steering box wear. Affects UBS55; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,000.
Wheel bearing failure (UBS55) Major
The Trooper suffers from premature wheel bearing failure, particularly on the front axle. Affects UBS55; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Transmission and driveline wear (UBS55) Major
The Trooper's 4WD transmission system experiences premature wear of CV joints, propshaft universal joints, and transfer case components. Affects UBS55; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Isuzu Trooper common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Isuzu Trooper
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Isuzu Trooper:
Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim ..., excessive radial movement between the top of th.... Bodywork — check for fixings missing or insecure, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t.... Suspension — check for abs fault, wheel bearings worn, suspension component damaged or corroded.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about chassis and body structural corrosion and steering play and column bearing wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,000. 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.
Looking at a specific Isuzu Trooper?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Isuzu Trooper MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Isuzu Trooper?
Based on 60,627 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... — at 116x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fixings missing or insecure and excessive radial movement between the top of th....
Is the Isuzu Trooper reliable based on MOT data?
The Isuzu Trooper has 19 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag chassis and body structural corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Isuzu Trooper most commonly fails on fixings missing or insecure and free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot....
How do I check a Isuzu Trooper's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
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.