Pickup · 1997–2016 cars
Isuzu TF reliability
The Isuzu TF fails 43.3% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,457 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Isuzu TF before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 43.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,457
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Isuzu TF ages
Each point is the share of Isuzu TFs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Isuzu TF | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 40.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 43.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 45.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 47.1% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Isuzu TF years
2010 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Isuzu TF
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 110% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.5%60% above avg
- Suspension19.3%32% above avg
- Brakes14.7%55% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure9%74% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.3%46% above avg
- Tyres4.3%43% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%14% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.9%110% above avg
- Steering1.9%39% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.86% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Rear fog lamp not working 4.89% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 4.65% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
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.
- 5
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.32% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 6
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 4.23% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.64% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.53% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Isuzu TF's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy20.4%
- Wheel bearing slight play16.96%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.62%
- Shock absorber bush slightly worn6.13%
- Suspension ball joint slight play6.12%
- Chassis corroded but still rigid5.93%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Isuzu TF
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 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 TF covers about 9,200 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%
- Petrol0.2%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Grey, Green
Average engine size: 2.6 litres.
Compare
How the Isuzu TF 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 TF questions, answered
Is the Isuzu TF reliable?
On MOT results, the Isuzu TF is below average: it fails 43.3% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Isuzu TF MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Isuzu TF are position lamp not working (6.86% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (4.89% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.65% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 27.5% of its tests.
Which Isuzu TF year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (12% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (21% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Isuzu TF do a year?
A typical Isuzu TF covers about 9,200 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 TF 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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