Used car guide

2018 Isuzu D-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Isuzu D-MAXs, from 3,817 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,817MOT tests in 2025

72%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)

10,200typical miles a year

42×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Isuzu D-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2018.

Wheel bearings42× usual

Isuzu D-MAX
16.8% All 2018 cars
0.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Rigid brake pipes13.2× usual

Isuzu D-MAX
10.6% All 2018 cars
0.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Shock absorbers3.8× usual

Isuzu D-MAX
11.1% All 2018 cars
2.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Anti-roll bar bushes and joints34× usual

Isuzu D-MAX
6.8% All 2018 cars
0.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Number plate lights3.7× usual

Isuzu D-MAX
6.7% All 2018 cars
1.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5.3% here, against 13.9% of all 2018 cars.

By area

The share of 2018 Isuzu D-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Lights and electrics

30% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Brakes

25% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Suspension

25% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Tyres

20% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

9% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Exhaust and emissions

4% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Isuzu D-MAX?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	3,503	Tyres 23%
2021	3,138	Tyres 22%
2020	2,541	Lights and electrics 24%
2019	3,799	Lights and electrics 27%
2017	4,249	Lights and electrics 31%
2016	4,181	Lights and electrics 38%
2015	4,432	Lights and electrics 38%
2014	3,740	Lights and electrics 41%
2013	2,578	Lights and electrics 45%
2012	1,143	Lights and electrics 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Isuzu D-MAXs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score