2009 Mazda CX-7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,504 MOT tests, the 2009 Mazda CX-7 recorded a 71.0% pass rate. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (26.0% fail rate), the 2009 CX-7 comes out 2.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.7% of all tests — 5.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, track rod end and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 143 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 CX-7 fails 31.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 31.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (29.9% vs 27.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 251 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 164 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.9% | 149 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.1% | 107 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 78 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 75 |
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 | 143 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 117 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 106 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 68 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 67 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 66 |
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 | 33.7% | 507 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 405 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 307 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 250 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 159 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 132 |
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 | 108 | 31.5% |
| 60-90k | 406 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 621 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 301 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 60 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 754 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 742 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 429 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 366 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 316 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 229 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 164 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 CX-7
On a 2009 CX-7, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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.
- Brakes (9.9% 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.
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 2009 Mazda CX-7s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 1,504 2009 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mazda CX-7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2009 CX-7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.5% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,504 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.