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MAZDA RX-7 (2006)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 36 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1300cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1300cc20 years old36 tests65k 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

81% 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%.

At 20 years old, 81% of MAZDA RX-7s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 36 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 65,339 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars156th of 575(top 27%)
Rank among MAZDA models235th of 483(top 49%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2006 cars average+8%(73% avg)
vs MAZDA average+0%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

65,339

Average miles

vs

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 MAZDA RX-7 has 65,339 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 2006 sits between the two at 81%.

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 2006 MAZDA RX-7

The 2006 MAZDA RX-7 is a small family car with a 1300cc petrol engine. 36 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 65,339 miles at 20 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.

2006 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 2006 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 81% 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 2006 MAZDA RX-7

At 20 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 36 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 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.

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 2006 MAZDA RX-7 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA RX-7(2006)81%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
FORD FIESTA(2008)72%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£15
FORD FOCUS(2008)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£90
VAUXHALL CORSA(2008)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£15
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£130

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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