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

First-time pass rate87%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+10.3 points
Tests analysed585
Average mileage at test73,969 miles
Average year of manufacture1999
Reliability rank1,100 of 2,005 models

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. On a Mazda Rx-7 bought as a 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 what damaged Mazda Rx-7s actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mazda Rx-7

  1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 5% of tests (17.13x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.4% of tests (6.14x the national rate for this defect)
  3. 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, 1.8% of tests (5.41x the national rate for this defect)
  4. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.7% of tests (4.22x the national rate for this defect)
  5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect)
  6. 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
  7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
  8. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.9% of tests (1.79x the national rate for this defect)
  9. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 0.9% of tests
  10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.8% of tests

From 1,259 DVSA-tracked Mazda Rx-7 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 2.02% of these flagged Mazda Rx-7 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

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Mazda Rx-7 MOT pass rate badge: 87%

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate