2011 Mazda CX-7 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Mazda CX-7 passed 74.8% of its 2,662 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.7 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 23.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and brakes (10.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, track rod end and tread depth — position lamp alone was recorded 228 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.0% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 313 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 272 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 242 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.4% | 197 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 131 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 73 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 228 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 211 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 114 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 111 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 92 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 73 |
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 | 31.6% | 842 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.8% | 713 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.4% | 649 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 360 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.3% | 221 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 204 |
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 | 181 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 922 | 23.3% |
| 90-120k | 989 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 425 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 132 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,618 | 25.3% |
| Petrol | 44 | 20.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 660 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 646 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 540 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 468 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 348 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 CX-7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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 (9.1% 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 2011 Mazda CX-7s pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 2,662 2011 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mazda CX-7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 2011 CX-7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.1% in the 30-60k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,662 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.