Used car guide · 2010–2012

Isuzu TF common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Isuzu TF, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 4,522 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

4,522MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
2011best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201220112010

What usually goes wrong with an Isuzu TF?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Isuzu TF in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Isuzu TF MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 20.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 14.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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 pipes

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2012.

    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.

Isuzu TF MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2011 Isuzu TF did best (55% passed first time, 7 points below all 2011 cars) and the 2012 did worst (54%, 10 points below all 2012 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201254%64% -10920
201155%62% -72,508
201053%60% -71,094

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Isuzu TF

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 20.2× as often on the Isuzu TF as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 14.1× as often on the Isuzu TF as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the Isuzu TF as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Isuzu TF?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score