2007 Mazda CX-7 — MOT failures & pass rate
934 MOT tests on the 2007 Mazda CX-7 are in this dataset, and 68.7% of them passed. That is 3.9 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.3% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 105 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 171 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 122 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 93 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 81 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 59 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.2% | 58 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 105 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 68 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 57 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 55 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 53 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 42 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.1% | 356 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.4% | 256 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.3% | 190 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 179 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.2% | 114 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 107 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 47 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 267 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 391 | 32.5% |
| 120-150k | 178 | 36.0% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 276 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 240 | 32.5% |
| 2023 | 194 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 123 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 101 | 34.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 CX-7
On a 2007 CX-7, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (10.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Mazda CX-7s pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 934 2007 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mazda CX-7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by brakes (13.1%).
Does the 2007 CX-7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 934 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.