Mazda Rx-7: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Mazda Rx-7 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 10.3 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 585 individual Mazda Rx-7 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 87% first-time pass rate means roughly 13 in every 100 Mazda Rx-7s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Mazda Rx-7 tested had covered 73,969 miles and was built around 1999.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Mazda Rx-7 sits 10.3 points above the national average, ranked 1,100 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Mazda Rx-7 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Mazda Rx-7s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mazda Rx-7

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 6.5% of tests (18.36x the national rate for this defect)
2. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2.9% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 2.2% of tests (4.35x the national rate for this defect)
4. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.9% of tests (4.28x the national rate for this defect)
5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.5% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.5% of tests
7. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.2% of tests (1.83x the national rate for this defect)
8. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.2% of tests
9. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 1% of tests

From 585 DVSA-tracked Mazda Rx-7 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 1.91% of these flagged Mazda Rx-7 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Mazda Rx-7

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Mazda Rx-7 before it actually fails on it.

1. Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted, 3.2% of tests (53.09x the national rate for this advisory)
2. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 3.2% of tests (5x the national rate for this advisory)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.8% of tests (1.88x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.2% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this advisory)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 9.7% of tests, also fails
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 9.2% of tests
7. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.2% of tests
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 5% of tests, also fails
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.1% of tests
10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 2.6% of tests

From 585 DVSA-tracked Mazda Rx-7 tests, 2024.

Other Mazda models

• Mazda 2 - 73.4%
• Mazda 3 - 73.4%
• Mazda Mx-5 - 77.2%
• Mazda 6 - 74%
• Mazda Cx-5 - 83.1%
• Mazda Cx-3 - 88%
• Mazda 5 - 59%
• Mazda Bongo - 58.1%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Toyota Hilux Invincible D-4d 4wddcb A - 87%
• Volvo S60 R-Design + T5 Auto - 87%
• Triumph Tr6 - 87%
• Jaguar F-Pace - 86.9%
• Renault Clio Iconic Tce - 86.9%
• Alfa Romeo Giulia - 86.9%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

Embed this data

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate