2010 Mazda CX-7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,119 MOT tests, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 recorded a 72.5% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 25.0% of the time, so this is 2.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.5% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and headlamp aim — track rod end alone was recorded 308 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 483 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 336 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 298 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.9% | 278 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 146 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 105 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 308 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 244 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 210 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 128 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 122 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 110 |
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 | 34.7% | 1,083 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.9% | 902 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.0% | 811 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 525 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 265 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.7% | 239 |
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 | 163 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 855 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,391 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 538 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 147 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,061 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 58 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 803 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 768 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 653 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 515 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 380 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 CX-7
On a 2010 CX-7, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.8% 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 (9.6% 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 2010 Mazda CX-7s pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 3,119 2010 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mazda CX-7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.8%).
Does the 2010 CX-7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,119 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.