Pickup · 1997–2015 cars
Isuzu Rodeo reliability
The Isuzu Rodeo fails 44.1% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 18,906 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Isuzu Rodeo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 44.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 18,906
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Isuzu Rodeo ages
Each point is the share of Isuzu Rodeos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Isuzu Rodeo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 43% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 39.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 42.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 46.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 47.5% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 44.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 46.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 42.6% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 42.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 42.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 36.7% | 42.8% |
By year
The best and worst Isuzu Rodeo years
2004 cars come out best and 2009 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 822 | 41.8% | 16% more fails | 102,048 |
| 2011 Rodeo | 2,397 | 41.5% | 9% more fails | 103,506 |
| 2010 Rodeo | 3,310 | 44.4% | 10% more fails | 112,904 |
| 2009 Rodeo | 1,855 | 47.4% | 13% more fails | 115,235 |
| 2008 Rodeo | 1,882 | 46.3% | 6% more fails | 125,488 |
| 2007 Rodeo | 2,310 | 45.8% | 3% more fails | 127,844 |
| 2006 Rodeo | 2,278 | 44.1% | 2% fewer fails | 134,017 |
| 2005 Rodeo | 2,108 | 43.4% | 4% fewer fails | 133,177 |
| 2004 Rodeo | 1,548 | 40.4% | 10% fewer fails | 133,208 |
| 2003 | 262 | 40.8% | 7% fewer fails | 134,145 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Isuzu Rodeo
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 54% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.9%27% above avg
- Suspension19.3%13% above avg
- Brakes14.8%23% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure11.6%54% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.9%34% above avg
- Steering4.6%21% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4%35% below avg
- Tyres3.6%53% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.1%37% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Rear fog lamp not working 6.46% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 2
Position lamp not working 6.12% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.55% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 4.1% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.71% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.66% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 7
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.26% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.95% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Isuzu Rodeo's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy19.36%
- Wheel bearing slight play17.4%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.78%
- Chassis corroded but still rigid7.4%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.77%
- Suspension ball joint slight play6.37%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Isuzu Rodeo
- 1
Rear fog lamp not working
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Isuzu Rodeo covers about 9,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel99.8%
- Petrol0.1%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Green, Grey
Average engine size: 2.8 litres.
Compare
How the Isuzu Rodeo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Fullback | 17.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda B Series | 42% | about average for its age |
| Mercedes-Benz X-Class | 17.1% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pickup | 44.2% | about average for its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu TF | 43.3% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Musso | 34.9% | 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Isuzu models.
Questions
Isuzu Rodeo questions, answered
Is the Isuzu Rodeo reliable?
On MOT results, the Isuzu Rodeo is about average: it fails 44.1% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 8 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Isuzu Rodeo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Isuzu Rodeo are rear fog lamp not working (6.46% of tests), position lamp not working (6.12% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.55% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 25.9% of its tests.
Which Isuzu Rodeo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2009 cars do worst (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Isuzu Rodeo do a year?
A typical Isuzu Rodeo covers about 9,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Isuzu Rodeo before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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