Used car guide

1997 Isuzu Trooper: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Isuzu Troopers, from 183 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 183 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

183MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
5,500typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Isuzu Troopers than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.6× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    20.8% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 1.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Wheel bearings3.2× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    21.3% All 1997 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.1% of all 1997 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage3.2× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    19.7% All 1997 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.1% of all 1997 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    27.9% All 1997 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.9% of all 1997 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.

By area

The share of 1997 Isuzu Trooper MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    30% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    21% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at an Isuzu Trooper?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005118Brakes 44%
2004193Brakes 46%
2003194Suspension 42%
2002233Suspension 46%
2001128Brakes 40%
2000155Suspension 39%
1999180Brakes 48%
1998188Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Isuzu Troopers registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score