Used car guide

1999 Isuzu Trooper: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Isuzu Troopers, from 180 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 180 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

180MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
5,200typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Isuzu Troopers than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Wheel bearings3.8× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    21.1% All 1999 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1% of all 1999 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 pipes1.9× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    30% All 1999 cars
    15.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.1% of all 1999 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 1999 Isuzu Trooper MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    48% 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
    42% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% 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
    31% 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
    29% 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.

  • Tyres
    18% 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.

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%
1998188Suspension 41%
1997183Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Isuzu Troopers registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score