Isuzu Trooper (1988)
1988 Isuzu Trooper
CarHunch analysed 632 real MOT records for the 1988 Isuzu Trooper. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Isuzu Trooper passes MOT at just 58.1%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, making it a notably unreliable prospect for buyers—diesel versions fare slightly better at 59.9% versus petrol at 55%. With 13.9% of vehicles having recorded dangerous defects, structural or brake failures are a real concern on the secondhand market.
These Troopers are averaging around 149,000 miles, which is realistic for 35-year-old vehicles, but the real issue is frequency: cars fail with 1.32 problems on average, and another 3.2 advisories pile up. If you're seriously considering one, budget for immediate inspection by a specialist in Japanese 4x4s and expect significant remedial work before it's safe to drive.
What to check before buying a 1988 Isuzu Trooper
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Isuzu Trooper
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (62%) | 392 | 59.9% | 1.26 |
| Petrol (38%) | 238 | 55% | 1.4 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 81.3% | 1.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Isuzu Trooper vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1988 Isuzu Trooper vehicles fall between 121,632 and 179,861 miles.
1988 Isuzu Trooper — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017, 85% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Isuzu Trooper
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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51.4%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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16.5%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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15.1%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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14%
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13%
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings
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12.6%
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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12.2%
Oil leak
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12%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Isuzu Trooper?
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