Is the 2004 MAZDA RX-7 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MAZDA RX-7s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 68 tests. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2004 MAZDA RX-7 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 MAZDA RX-7?

The 2004 MAZDA RX-7 has a 96% MOT pass rate based on 68 tests in 2026. This ranks 17 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year MAZDA RX-7 is most reliable?

The 2003 MAZDA RX-7 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 83%.

MAZDA RX-7 (2004)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 MAZDA RX-7?

The average mileage for a 2004 MAZDA RX-7 is 61,591 miles, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 68 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2400cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Petrol2400cc22 years old68 tests62k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2400cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2400cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,277

Per month£190/mo

Per week£44/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 22 years old, 96% of MAZDA RX-7s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 68 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 61,591 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars17th of 491(top 3%)

Rank among MAZDA models66th of 483(top 14%)

vs national average+14%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average+24%(72% avg)

vs MAZDA average+15%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

61,591

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 MAZDA RX-7 has 61,591 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2003 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 83%. The 2004 sits between the two at 96%.

MAZDA RX-7 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	95%	38	87,678 mi
2006	81%	36	65,339 mi
2005	86%	70	84,482 mi
2004	96%	68	61,591 mi
2003	97%	110	72,480 mi
2000	79%	43	64,823 mi
1999	84%	51	63,297 mi
1998	80%	44	66,278 mi
1996	100%	32	69,028 mi
1995	96%	57	69,661 mi
1994	88%	33	69,342 mi
1993	83%	104	84,869 mi
1992	89%	76	76,722 mi
1991	82%	34	70,478 mi
1990	86%	97	85,348 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

RENAULT CLIO

2006 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

68%

-28%

HONDA CR-V

2006 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,017/year

72%

-24%

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

2006 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,017/year

72%

-24%

VAUXHALL VECTRA

2006 · 1910cc Petrol

£2,017/year

72%

-24%

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About the 2004 MAZDA RX-7

The 2004 MAZDA RX-7 is a large car with a 2400cc petrol engine. 68 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 61,591 miles at 22 years old, MAZDA RX-7 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2004 MAZDA RX-7 Fuel Costs

The 2400cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 MAZDA RX-7?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MAZDA RX-7 Reliability Trend

The MAZDA RX-7 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 MAZDA RX-7

At 22 years old, the MAZDA RX-7 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. Note: with only 68 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 MAZDA RX-7's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 MAZDA RX-7 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA RX-7(2004)	96%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2277
RENAULT CLIO(2006)	68%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217-£60
HONDA CR-V(2006)	72%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£260
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT(2006)	72%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£260
VAUXHALL VECTRA(2006)	72%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£260

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.