Vauxhall Frontera
Registered from 1993 to 2026.
About this model
The Isuzu MU is a mid-size SUV which was produced by Japan-based manufacturer Isuzu from 1989 to 2005.
From the Wikipedia article Isuzu MU, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2003 2.2 diesel. 40 of 157 tests failed, 25%.
Better than 67% of 2003 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 639 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 55% | 22 |
| Body and structure | 43% | 17 |
| Suspension | 33% | 13 |
| Lights and electrics | 25% | 10 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 18% | 7 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 15% | 6 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
- Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 90% of 2003 cars — 43% of its 40 failed tests, where an ordinary 2003 car has 24%.
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 91% of 2003 cars — 18% of its 40 failed tests, where an ordinary 2003 car has 3%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 55% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Suspension — 33% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Exhaust and emissions — 15% of its failures
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lights and electrics — 25% of its failures
- Body and structure — 43% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Seat belts and airbags — 18% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 120–140k miles this one fails 25% of its inspections, against the 30% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 31% | 28% | 32 | |
| 100–120k miles | 20% | 29% | 30 | |
| 120–140k miles | 25% | 30% | 40 |
102 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
SR/00818/26
The vehicle may have contact, or insufficient clearance (< 10 mm), between the petrol particulate filter pipe and the terminal protection cap of the 48 V belt starter generator. In wet conditions, the insufficient clearance and possible contact between these components can lead to water infiltration, causing an electric arc, that could trigger a thermal event, such as overheating, which may lead to fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00907/26
The electric power steering harness is routed between two screws, and slight vibrations may cause damage during steering operations. This may cause a short circuit, leading to a loss of power steering assistance and/or a fire in the passenger compartment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/01383/26
Due to a defect in the engine control unit (inverter) in the vehicles equipped with electrified dual-clutch transmission (e-DCT), metal soldering residues could pass into the unit. This can cause internal electric short circuits which can lead to continuous power supply and overheating due to a blocked relay, causing a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02932/25
The vehicle may have a fuel leak in the high-pressure hose, between the high-pressure pump and the rail, because of loose nuts. This may cause a fire in the vehicle. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
Recall of the product from end users