Used car guide

2011 Mazda CX-7: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Mazda CX-7s, from 273 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 273 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

273MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,500typical miles a year
4×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Mazda CX-7s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Sub-frame4× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    23.4% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Track rod ends3.3× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    17.6% All 2011 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 2.6% of all 2011 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.

  • Suspension arm4.1× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    13.6% All 2011 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2011 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.

  • Headlights2.8× usual
    Mazda CX-7
    16.1% All 2011 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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 2011 Mazda CX-7 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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
    36% 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
    34% 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
    34% 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
    13% 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
    9% 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%
2010285Suspension 55%
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 2011 Mazda CX-7s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score