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Mazda CX-7 ER (2007-2012) reliability

Not enough data

Mazda CX-7 ER built around 2012: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mazda CX-7 ER models built around 2012 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Mazda CX-7 ER?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Mazda CX-7 ER
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2007-2012SUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 1,245 tests of CX-7 models registered 2007-2012.

ER fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
23227.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
41731.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
28231.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
16336.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
15132.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

How the CX-7 ER compares

At each age below, see how the CX-7 ER holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 30,205 tests across 8 Mazda models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMazda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
23227.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
41731.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
28231.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
16336.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
15132.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the CX-7 ER.

  1. 1

    Porsche Cayenne

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.1%
    Dangerous
    4.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.8%

    Lower fail rate: 16.0%, against 27.6% for the Mazda CX-7 ER, both built around 2012.

    1,755 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Audi Q7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    6.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.6%

    Lower fail rate: 16.5%, against 27.6% for the Mazda CX-7 ER, both built around 2012.

    2,062 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Honda CR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.4%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.8%, against 27.6% for the Mazda CX-7 ER, both built around 2012.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    13,965 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.9%

    Lower fail rate: 19.9%, against 27.6% for the Mazda CX-7 ER, both built around 2012.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,819 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

2 recalls in all

Both CX-7 ER recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Takata passenger airbag inflators may not operate as intended
  • Lower balljoint may fail

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How CX-7 ER cars have aged

How CX-7 ER cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%911131517Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (167 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (168 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (143 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (122 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (105 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (466 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (436 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (366 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (313 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (234 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (494 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (451 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (377 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (290 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (209 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (199 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (164 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (147 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (106 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 37.7% (77 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (226 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (187 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (132 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (106 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (81 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (109 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (92 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (70 tests, 2023 data)2007
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
ER variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Mazda CX-7 models of this age

This list covers every Mazda CX-7 built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the ER on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    31.5%
    Advisory: 116Fail: 9 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    22.4%
    Advisory: 96Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    21.1%
    Advisory: 61Fail: 19 (24% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    15.1%
    Advisory: 45Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Track rod end ball joint has slight play

    13.4%
    Advisory: 16Fail: 23 (59% of the times it was found)

Based on 232 tests

Looking at a Mazda CX-7 ER?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Mazda CX-7 ER (2007-2012) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 232 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,245 MOT tests on Mazda CX-7 models first registered between 2007-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.