Family SUV · 2003–2013 cars
Mazda CX-7 reliability
The Mazda CX-7 fails 41.1% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,224 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda CX-7 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 41.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,224
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda CX-7 ages
Each point is the share of Mazda CX-7s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda CX-7 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 35.9% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 39.7% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 39.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 40.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 43.2% | 42.9% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda CX-7 years
2011 cars come out best and 2010 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 444 | 36.3% | 4% more fails | 89,860 |
| 2011 CX-7 | 1,293 | 37% | 2% fewer fails | 95,109 |
| 2010 CX-7 | 1,577 | 41.8% | 5% more fails | 99,829 |
| 2009 | 762 | 41.3% | 1% more fails | 101,413 |
| 2008 | 655 | 44.9% | 5% more fails | 99,384 |
| 2007 | 481 | 48.4% | 11% more fails | 105,841 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda CX-7
Its weak spot is steering: 224% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.3%7% above avg
- Brakes14.1%45% above avg
- Suspension12.4%20% below avg
- Steering10.2%224% above avg
- Tyres6.5%14% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.7%16% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.2%29% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.3%41% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.9%39% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 7.91% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Position lamp not working 7.33% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.24% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.22% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.91% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Stop lamp not working 2.35% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.35% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.34% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda CX-7's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit19.26%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.83%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion9.34%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear8.69%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.96%
- Suspension arm showing corrosion6.26%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda CX-7
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda CX-7 covers about 8,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel69.3%
- Petrol30.6%
- LPG0.1%
- Other0.1%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 2.2 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda CX-7 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| MG HS Exclusive | 8.3% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLB | 9.7% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Terracan | 41.9% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C-Crosser | 43.6% | about average for its age |
| Mazda CX-7 | 41.1% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 4007 | 45.1% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin | 45.7% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Mazda models.
Questions
Mazda CX-7 questions, answered
Is the Mazda CX-7 reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda CX-7 is about average: it fails 41.1% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 44 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda CX-7 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda CX-7 are track rod end ball joint excessively worn (7.91% of tests), position lamp not working (7.33% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.24% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 19.3% of its tests.
Which Mazda CX-7 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2010 cars do worst (5% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mazda CX-7 do a year?
A typical Mazda CX-7 covers about 8,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mazda CX-7 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a Mazda CX-7? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.