Used car guide

2009 Mazda CX-7: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Mazda CX-7s, from 125 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 125 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

125MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,100typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Mazda CX-7s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Headlights3× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    24.8% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2009 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    46% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    6% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012111Suspension 50%
2011273Suspension 56%
2010285Suspension 55%
2008124Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Mazda CX-7s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score