2012 Mazda CX-7 — MOT failures & pass rate
955 MOT tests on the 2012 Mazda CX-7 are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 21.8% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.6%) and brakes (9.1%) 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 ball joint — position lamp alone was recorded 73 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 CX-7 fails 24.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 25.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 101 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.1% | 87 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 77 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.7% | 64 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 51 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 33 |
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 | 73 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 70 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 34 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 31 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 26 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 25 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.8% | 246 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.8% | 237 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.9% | 228 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 102 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.4% | 61 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.2% | 59 |
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 | 145 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 353 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 284 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 128 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 231 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 220 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 190 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 174 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 140 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 CX-7
On a 2012 CX-7, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.1% 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 (8.1% 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 2012 Mazda CX-7s pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 955 2012 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mazda CX-7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by brakes (9.1%).
Does the 2012 CX-7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.8% in the 30-60k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 955 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.