Mazda RX-8 MOT pass rate and common problems
73.0% of 4,424 Mazda RX-8 MOT tests pass.
At 73.0%, the RX-8 passes slightly less often than the average across all Mazda models (77.9%).
The Mazda RX-8 passes 73.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mazda RX-8?
This is the average across every Mazda RX-8 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 82.8% at 10–15 years to 72.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 82.8% | 366 | 63,385 miles |
| 15+ years | 72.1% | 4,057 | 66,509 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda RX-8
The most common reason the Mazda RX-8 fails its MOT is noise, emissions and leaks — present in 56.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Inoperative or indicates a malfunction".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 56.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 45.2% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 30.4% | Excessively binding |
| Body, chassis, structure | 17.1% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 12.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 9.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.7% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 4.0% | Malfunctioning |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Mazda RX-8: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda RX-8’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda RX-8 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 82.8% to 72.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 70.2% down to 62.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 56.1% of failed Mazda RX-8 MOTs. 18.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 7.9% at 10–15 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 45.2% of failed Mazda RX-8 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 44.3% of failed Mazda RX-8 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 30.4% of failed Mazda RX-8 MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 17.1% of failed Mazda RX-8 MOTs. 5.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.4% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda 5 — 59.5% pass rate
- Mazda Bongo — 60.8% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 SE-L — 93.6% pass rate
- Mazda 2 SE-L — 95.2% pass rate
- Mazda 323 — 65.4% pass rate
- Mazda MX-30 — 95.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda RX-8?
- 73.0% of Mazda RX-8 MOT tests pass, based on 4,424 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda RX-8?
- The most common reason the Mazda RX-8 fails its MOT is noise, emissions and leaks — present in 56.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Inoperative or indicates a malfunction".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda RX-8?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda RX-8 are exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension; lights and electrics. 18.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 7.9% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda RX-8?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda RX-8's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.