Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Isuzu D Max?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2021 Isuzu D Max?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2021 Isuzu D Max?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2021 Isuzu D Max reliable?

Based on MOT data from 373 vehicles, the 2021 Isuzu D Max has a first-time MOT pass rate of 89.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2021 Isuzu D Max?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2021 Isuzu D Max are: Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (23.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (22.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Isuzu D Max?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Isuzu D Max (2021)

373 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.1% first-time pass rate

2021 Isuzu D Max

CarHunch analysed 373 real MOT records for the 2021 Isuzu D Max. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 373 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2021 Isuzu D-Max is beating the UK average with an 86.5% first-time pass rate versus 80%, which suggests solid build quality and owner care on these trucks. Only 6.7% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety issues are well below concerning levels.

These D-Maxes average 47,698 miles at test time—reasonable for three-year-old work vehicles—and rack up just 0.38 failures per MOT, indicating mechanically sound trucks overall. Before buying, check the service history carefully, as the 1.8 average advisories per vehicle suggest routine wear on suspension and brakes is fairly common on this model; a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with Isuzu pickups will catch any early signs of costly repairs.

The 2021 Isuzu D Max passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (89.1% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

89.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

6.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.38

Over 2.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

42k

Middle half: 30k–59k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 89.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 1.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 373 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 373 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 23.6%

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Tyre wear 18%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 16.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 7.4%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 373 Isuzu D Max cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Isuzu D Max

Based on MOT data from 373 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 6.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 35,516 Isuzu D Max vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 26.9%

9,565

Silver 15.2%

5,387

Black 14.1%

5,012

Grey 13.2%

4,694

Red 11.1%

3,929

Blue 11%

3,915

Green 8.1%

2,875

Orange 0.3%

112

Yellow 0%

Gold 0%

Multi-colour 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Isuzu D Max vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

42,043

typical

30,324

low mileage

58,938

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Isuzu D Max vehicles fall between 30,324 and 58,938 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 30,324 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 30,324–58,938 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Isuzu D Maxs sit.

⚠ Over 79,566 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2021 Isuzu D Max — Still on the Road

Almost all 2021 Isuzu D Maxs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 349 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.38

Avg failures per vehicle

1.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Isuzu D Max: All D Max years → Which year to buy? →

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024 2025

Or browse all models: Isuzu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Isuzu D Max stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?