ISUZU D-MAX2015 · 2.5L DIESEL

The 2015 Isuzu D-Max remains technically roadworthy following its most recent MOT on the 19th of February 2026 at 159,640 miles, yet the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That latest test passed but flagged play in the steering rack inner joint and corrosion on no fewer than five brake pipes, all noted as covered in grease or other material. This pattern of recurring advisories and a failed test in 2025 points to a vehicle that has been kept running rather than properly repaired. The same steering rack play has appeared in four consecutive tests since February 2024, and the brake pipe corrosion has escalated from a single offside front advisory in 2024 to five separate pipe advisories by 2026. These are not one-off consumable replacements but persistent mechanical and hydraulic issues that have been managed rather than resolved. The mileage accumulation tells its own story. Covering roughly 14,513 miles per year, this D-Max has been driven hard across varied conditions. The 2023 test at 128,423 miles recorded no defects whatsoever, suggesting the vehicle was in reasonable order at that point. Yet in the following three years, an additional 31,217 miles were added, and the defect count climbed sharply. The jump from 144,451 miles in February 2024 to 159,640 miles by February 2026 represents sustained high-intensity use, likely including towing or commercial hauling given the vehicle type. That workload accelerates wear on steering components, brake systems, and structural underbody parts, all of which are now showing strain. A buyer should treat the brake pipe situation as the primary concern. Corrosion on five separate pipes, masked by grease or coating, raises questions about the condition of the entire hydraulic system. Brake pipes hidden under chassis covers or along the bulkhead can deteriorate far beyond what surface inspection reveals. The persistent steering rack inner joint play is equally telling. Inner rack joints under constant load at this mileage will develop slack that no amount of adjustment can eliminate. Have a specialist inspect the rack and pipework on a raised lift, paying close attention to the underside of the chassis rails and the area around the rear axle where corrosion typically accelerates on working pickups. Beyond the flagged items, examine the suspension bushes, coil spring mountings, and shock absorber seals, all of which endure significant stress at this mileage on a commercial vehicle. Check for uneven tyre wear that might confirm the steering play is affecting tracking. The windscreen damage noted since 2025 should also be assessed for any spread beyond the driver's direct line of sight, as stone chips on a high-mileage vehicle often precede larger cracks. This D-Max has clearly been worked hard and kept on the road through repeated patch repairs rather than systematic upkeep. Any purchase should reflect that reality in both price and pre-purchase inspection rigour.