Used car guide

2006 Isuzu Trooper: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Isuzu Trooper first registered in 2006: we looked at the 117 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 117 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

117MOTs of 2006 cars, done in 2023–2025
66%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
11,400typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Isuzu Trooper?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Isuzu Trooper than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Engine oil leaks2.6× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    32.5% All 2006 cars
    12.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Isuzu Trooper
    29.9% All 2006 cars
    14%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Common 2006 Isuzu Trooper MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Isuzu Trooper MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    50% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    35% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Suspension
    32% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Rust and bodywork
    25% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    23% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Isuzu Trooper

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

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2006 Isuzu Trooper as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2006 Isuzu Trooper as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Isuzu Trooper?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Isuzu Trooper compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005457Brakes 49%
2004679Brakes 46%
2003730Brakes 42%
2002917Brakes 44%
2001563Brakes 43%
2000573Brakes 47%
1999637Brakes 48%
1998656Brakes 43%
1997622Brakes 43%
1996266Brakes 49%
1995163Brakes 46%
1994153Brakes 42%
1993152Suspension 36%
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Isuzu Trooper cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score