MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Mazda RX-7 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?

The Mazda RX-7 records 3.87 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 6.72 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.85, 95% interval −3.69 to −2.01). It ranks 538 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mazda RX-7 by registration

What exactly fails on steering?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda RX-7 is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 60 times in 2019–2024.

Mazda RX-7: most frequent steering defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated601.65
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc411.13

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,644 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Mazda RX-7 by postcode area · Mazda RX-7 body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda RX-7 brakes failures · Mazda RX-7 vehicle identification failures · Mazda RX-7 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda RX-7 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda RX-7 seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda RX-7 suspension failures · Mazda RX-7 tyres failures · Mazda RX-7 visibility failures