2007 Isuzu Rodeo 3.0L Diesel · CP57 EFA

The Isuzu Rodeo holds a valid MOT issued on 26 July 2023 at 200,124 miles, yet the maintenance trend over the preceding three years is best described as patchy rather than consistently improving. The most recent test passed with four minor advisories, including a deteriorated front registration plate, an inadequately clipped nearside front brake pipe, an illuminated brake fluid warning lamp, and a slightly rough steering system. None of these are immediate fail points, but the brake fluid lamp and steering roughness suggest deferred attention to hydraulic and steering components. Comparing the 2023 result against the 2022 failure, the car has moved from a serious structural corrosion issue and ABS fault to a cleaner bill of health, indicating some corrective work was carried out. The underlying pattern, however, remains one of reactive repair rather than proactive upkeep. Mileage accumulation tells a clear story. Between the July 2021 test at 178,077 miles and the June 2022 test at 188,981 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 10,900 miles in under twelve months. From June 2022 to the July 2023 test at 200,124 miles, it added another 11,143 miles over approximately thirteen months. Annual use sits close to the 10,500-mile norm for a vehicle of this age, and there are no suspicious gaps or sudden drops in the recorded intervals. The mileage pattern is steady and unremarkable, pointing to regular rather than light use. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus on the areas that have repeatedly surfaced across multiple tests. Suspension components warrant close scrutiny. Both rear shock absorbers were flagged for external casing damage in both June 2022 tests and again in August 2020, suggesting the units may have been replaced or repaired but remain vulnerable to corrosion and impact wear. The offside front upper ball joint dust cover was noted as severely deteriorated in July 2021, and both track rod end covers were flagged for damage in the same test, raising questions about the condition of the joints themselves and the integrity of the steering rack gaiters. Corrosion is the most serious recurring theme. The June 2022 failure identified significant nearside rear sub-frame corrosion affecting structural rigidity, a defect that would have required welding or sub-frame replacement to pass the subsequent test. The July 2023 test no longer flags this item, but the 2020 and 2021 tests both note general structural corrosion, so a thorough underside inspection with a torch and probe is essential to confirm the repair has held and no new corrosion has taken hold around mounting points, crossmembers, or sills. The braking system also demands attention. The June 2022 failure highlighted worn front brake pads on both sides, an insecure offside rear brake cable, and a brake hydraulic reservoir close to minimum. The July 2023 test still flagged an illuminated brake fluid warning lamp and an inadequately supported nearside front brake pipe, implying fluid level or pressure issues persist and the pipe routing may be chafing or hanging loose. A buyer should check the condition of all hard lines, flexible hoses, caliper slides, and the handbrake cable adjustment. The minor exhaust leak noted in 2020, 2021, and 2022 may have been resolved, but the system should still be listened for gas blow, particularly around the manifold and flexi-joint. Overall, this is a high-mileage working vehicle with a history of corrosion and suspension wear that has been addressed just enough to pass each test. A pre-purchase inspection focused on structural integrity, steering, and brakes is strongly advised.