Used car guide

2012 Isuzu TF: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Isuzu TFs, from 274 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 274 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

274MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,200typical miles a year
14.9×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Isuzu TFs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Wheel bearings14.9× usual
    Isuzu TF
    22.3% All 2012 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.6% of all 2012 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 pipes4.8× usual
    Isuzu TF
    26.3% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage22.4× usual
    Isuzu TF
    15.7% All 2012 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Isuzu TF
    14.6% All 2012 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.7% of all 2012 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.

By area

The share of 2012 Isuzu TF MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    48% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    43% 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.

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at an Isuzu TF?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011646Lights and electrics 54%
2010314Lights and electrics 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Isuzu TFs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score