Used car guide

2010 Mazda CX-7: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Mazda CX-7s, from 285 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 285 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

285MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,300typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Mazda CX-7s than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Sub-frame3.2× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    22.1% All 2010 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Suspension arm4.2× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    17.2% All 2010 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlights2.5× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    17.2% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 3.6% of all 2010 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.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    12.3% All 2010 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.7% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2010 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    42% 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
    38% 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
    33% 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
    12% 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
    7% 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.

Looking at a Mazda CX-7?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012111Suspension 50%
2011273Suspension 56%
2009125Suspension 53%
2008124Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Mazda CX-7s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score