2008 Mazda CX-7 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,338 MOT tests on the 2008 Mazda CX-7 are in this dataset, and 71.2% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (26.8% fail rate), the 2008 CX-7 comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests against 11.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, track rod end and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 145 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 CX-7 fails 25.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 29.8% at 120-150k, a spread of only 4.0 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 221 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 152 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 114 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.0% | 93 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 74 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 68 |
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 | 145 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 95 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 72 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 69 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 63 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 56 |
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 | 36.9% | 493 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.5% | 382 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.3% | 298 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 243 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.1% | 202 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 167 |
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 | 89 | 25.8% |
| 60-90k | 386 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 659 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 181 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,299 | 28.7% |
| Diesel | 39 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 401 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 342 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 246 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 184 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 165 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 CX-7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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 (8.5% 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 2008 Mazda CX-7s pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 1,338 2008 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mazda CX-7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2008 CX-7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 30-60k band to 29.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,338 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.