Mazda RX 8 MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Mazda RX 8 took 3,386 MOT tests in Britain and passed 68% of them first time, below the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 3,386
- First-time pass rate
- 68%
- All cars
- 71%
What the RX 8 fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Exhaust and emissions12.2% (all cars 3.1%)
- Suspension11.3% (all cars 9.0%)
- Lights and electrics10.6% (all cars 11.3%)
- Brakes9.2% (all cars 6.8%)
- Body and structure4.5% (all cars 3.5%)
- Tyres4.4% (all cars 6.4%)
- Visibility3.9% (all cars 4.8%)
- Seat belts and airbags2.1% (all cars 1.0%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction 5.0%
- Service brake performance: excessively binding 3.6%
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 3.3%
- Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits 3.0%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken 2.8%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 2.8%
- Position lamp: not working 2.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 2.7%
Most common advisories
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 12.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 9.6%
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 8.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin 8.0%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened 7.2%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 6.8%
- Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 5.3%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 4.8%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 588 | 67% |
| 2005 | 437 | 66% |
| 2006 | 653 | 65% |
| 2007 | 695 | 69% |
| 2008 | 463 | 68% |
| 2009 | 303 | 72% |
Typical mileage by age
Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.
| Age at test | Average mileage |
|---|---|
| 13 years | 61,006 miles |
| 14 years | 63,967 miles |
| 15 years | 63,834 miles |
| 16 years | 64,161 miles |
| 17 years | 67,156 miles |
| 18 years | 65,510 miles |
| 19 years | 65,781 miles |
| 20 years | 65,167 miles |
Check a particular RX 8
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Other Mazda models
- Mazda 2
- Mazda 3
- Mazda MX 5
- Mazda 6
- Mazda CX 5
- Mazda CX 3
- Mazda 5
- Mazda Bongo
- Mazda CX 30
- Mazda B Series
- Mazda 323
- Mazda CX 7
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.