Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Isuzu Trooper?

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 1998 Isuzu Trooper?

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 1998 Isuzu Trooper?

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 1998 Isuzu Trooper vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% 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 1998 Isuzu Trooper reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,491 vehicles, the 1998 Isuzu Trooper has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Isuzu Trooper?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Isuzu Trooper are: Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (57.1% of vehicles), Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (55.8% of vehicles), Oil leak (49.4% 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 1998 Isuzu Trooper?

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 Trooper (1998)

2,491 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.6% first-time pass rate

1998 Isuzu Trooper

CarHunch analysed 2,491 real MOT records for the 1998 Isuzu Trooper. 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 1998 Isuzu Trooper passes its MOT first time in just 71.6% of cases, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 25.7% have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a serious red flag for any prospective buyer. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly (73.2% and 71.4% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't be the deciding factor here.

These Troopers are typically sitting at around 118,000 miles for their age, which is reasonable, yet they average 3.85 failures and a notably high 21.2 advisories per test, suggesting widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problem areas. Before purchasing, have a pre-buy inspection focus specifically on suspension, braking, and structural integrity, as the dangerous defect prevalence indicates these are the areas where corners have been cut on maintenance.

The 1998 Isuzu Trooper has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.6% 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

71.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

25.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.85

Over 12.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

118k

Middle half: 97k–141k

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 21.2 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 2,491 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 2,491 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 57.1%

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

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

Other issues 49.4%

Oil leak

Tyre wear 41.1%

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

Brake wear 40.6%

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Brake pipe slightly corroded · Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Exhaust & emissions 22.8%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,491 Isuzu Trooper cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Isuzu Trooper

Based on MOT data from 2,491 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.7% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (92%)	2,294	71.4%	3.87
Petrol (7%)	181	73.2%	3.76

Colour Breakdown

Based on 33,727 Isuzu Trooper vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Green 23.1%

7,785

Blue 23%

7,761

Silver 14.2%

4,791

Grey 11.3%

3,817

Red 9.4%

3,165

Maroon 6.6%

2,215

White 5.6%

1,895

Black 3.5%

1,196

Gold 2.7%

922

Beige 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Bronze 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Isuzu Trooper 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.

118,404

typical

96,715

low mileage

141,465

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Isuzu Trooper vehicles fall between 96,715 and 141,465 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 96,715 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.

✓ 96,715–141,465 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Isuzu Troopers sit.

⚠ Over 190,977 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Isuzu Trooper — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 15% of 1998 Isuzu Troopers are still active.

Numbers are declining — 179 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% 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

12.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.85

Avg failures per vehicle

21.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Isuzu →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Isuzu Trooper stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on