Used car guide

2003 Isuzu Trooper: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Isuzu Troopers, from 194 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 194 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

194MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,500typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Isuzu Troopers than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.1× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    16.5% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    17% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

By area

The share of 2003 Isuzu Trooper MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    41% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    28% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    18% 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%
2002233Suspension 46%
2001128Brakes 40%
2000155Suspension 39%
1999180Brakes 48%
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 2003 Isuzu Troopers registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score