2012 Isuzu D-MAX 2.5L Diesel · CX12 XDT

The 2012 Isuzu Rodeo currently holds an unroadworthy status following its most recent MOT failure on 9 June 2026 at 122,443 miles. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. A clean pass recorded on 14 April 2025 at 119,132 miles has been followed by two consecutive failures in 2026, revealing a cluster of serious structural and mechanical defects that suggest the vehicle has deteriorated rapidly in the last fourteen months. The mileage accumulation of roughly 8,746 miles per year is typical for a working light commercial vehicle of this age. However, the recorded mileage tells a more revealing story. Between the pass on 14 April 2025 at 119,132 miles and the first failure on 14 April 2026 at 122,346 miles, the vehicle covered 3,214 miles. In the subsequent two months leading to the 9 June 2026 failure, the odometer moved only 97 miles. This sharp drop in usage suggests the vehicle may have been standing for extended periods, which is often a contributing factor to the brake pipe corrosion and seized components now evident across the chassis. A buyer must treat the structural corrosion findings as the primary concern. The June 2026 failure specifically identifies a nearside rear cross member behind the fuel tank corroded to the point where structural rigidity is significantly reduced, a defect mirrored in the April 2026 failure which flagged corrosion on a cross member behind the exhaust and the spare wheel cross member. These are load-bearing areas on a commercial chassis, and remediation will require welding rather than cosmetic treatment. The fractured offside front coil spring, present in both 2026 failures, confirms the suspension has not been attended to despite being a clear safety-critical item. Beyond the structure, the braking system demands a thorough inspection. Multiple brake pipes are flagged as excessively corroded and contaminated with grease or material, indicating long-term neglect of fluid changes and underbody protection. The parking brake efficiency barely met minimum standards on both sides in June 2026, while the handbrake lever was flagged for excessive movement in April 2026. The offside front track rod end ball joint has shown excessive play across both 2026 tests, and both front anti-roll bar linkage joints have slight play. Combined with the worn tyres recorded consistently across recent tests, this pattern points to a vehicle where basic chassis and running gear upkeep has been deferred. A physical inspection should focus on the rear cross members, brake pipe condition, and suspension mounting points before any purchase decision.