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MAZDA RX-7 (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 70 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1300cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1300cc21 years old70 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1300cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1300cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,737
Per month£145/mo
Per week£33/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

86% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 21 years old, 86% of MAZDA RX-7s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 70 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 84,482 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars77th of 526(top 15%)
Rank among MAZDA models201th of 483(top 42%)
vs national average+4%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average+14%(72% avg)
vs MAZDA average+5%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

84,482

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 MAZDA RX-7 has 84,482 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2005 sits between the two at 86%.

MAZDA RX-7 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200795%3887,678 mi
200681%3665,339 mi
200586%7084,482 mi
200496%6861,591 mi
200397%11072,480 mi
200079%4364,823 mi
199984%5163,297 mi
199880%4466,278 mi
1996100%3269,028 mi
199596%5769,661 mi
199488%3369,342 mi
199383%10484,869 mi
199289%7676,722 mi
199182%3470,478 mi
199086%9785,348 mi

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About the 2005 MAZDA RX-7

The 2005 MAZDA RX-7 is a small family car with a 1300cc petrol engine. 70 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 15% of all 2005 cars for reliability.

With an average of 84,482 miles at 21 years old, MAZDA RX-7 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 MAZDA RX-7 Fuel Costs

The 1300cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 MAZDA RX-7?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2005 MAZDA RX-7

At 21 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 70 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 MAZDA RX-7's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 84k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2005 MAZDA RX-7 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA RX-7(2005)86%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
FORD FOCUS(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£90
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£130
MINI MINI(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£90
PEUGEOT 207(2007)69%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922+£185

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.

Related Mazda Models

Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda Rx-7.

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