Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Isuzu Rodeo?

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 2005 Isuzu Rodeo?

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 2005 Isuzu Rodeo?

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.

How many 2005 Isuzu Rodeo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2005 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,917 vehicles, the 2005 Isuzu Rodeo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Isuzu Rodeo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Isuzu Rodeo are: Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (68.7% of vehicles), Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (63.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (48.9% 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 2005 Isuzu Rodeo?

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 Rodeo (2005)

1,917 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.5% first-time pass rate

2005 Isuzu Rodeo

CarHunch analysed 1,917 real MOT records for the 2005 Isuzu Rodeo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2005 Isuzu Rodeo passes its MOT first time in 73.5% of cases, which is 6.5 percentage points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that suggests owners should budget for repair work. More concerning, nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point, making pre-purchase inspection non-negotiable.

At just under 90,000 miles median, these Rodeos are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they average 4.38 failures per test, indicating wear-related problems are emerging despite gentle use. The high advisory count of 26 per vehicle points to accumulated small issues rather than catastrophic faults—have a trusted mechanic assess wear items like suspension, exhaust, and seals before committing to a purchase.

The 2005 Isuzu Rodeo has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

73.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

29.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.38

Over 15.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

90k

Middle half: 68k–115k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 25.9 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 1,917 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,917 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 68.7%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · …

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

Tyre wear 48.9%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

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

Other issues 42.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Lighting 30.3%

Rear fog lamp not working · Offside Rear fog lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,917 Isuzu Rodeo cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Isuzu Rodeo

Based on MOT data from 1,917 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.6% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	1,915	73.5%	4.38

Colour Breakdown

Based on 12,566 Isuzu Rodeo vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 27.9%

3,508

Black 20.3%

2,546

Blue 17.5%

2,199

Green 9.8%

1,232

Gold 6.5%

819

Maroon 5.4%

683

Red 4.3%

541

Grey 4.2%

525

White 3.9%

496

Yellow 0.1%

Beige 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Isuzu Rodeo 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.

89,641

typical

68,216

low mileage

114,618

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Isuzu Rodeo vehicles fall between 68,216 and 114,618 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 68,216 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.

✓ 68,216–114,618 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Isuzu Rodeos sit.

⚠ Over 154,734 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Isuzu Rodeo — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 28% of 2005 Isuzu Rodeos are still active.

Numbers are declining — 386 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (28% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.38

Avg failures per vehicle

25.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Isuzu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Isuzu Rodeo stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on