Mazda Rx-8: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Mazda Rx-8 fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 6 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 2,967 individual Mazda Rx-8 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 70.7% first-time pass rate means roughly 29 in every 100 Mazda Rx-8s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average Mazda Rx-8 tested had covered 65,894 miles and was built around 2006.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Mazda Rx-8 bought as a repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Mazda Rx-8 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Mazda Rx-8s actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mazda Rx-8

1. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 4.5% of tests (20.48x the national rate for this defect)
2. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 4.1% of tests (14.03x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 5.3% of tests (6.44x the national rate for this defect)
4. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 2.5% of tests (6.25x the national rate for this defect)
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.4% of tests (6.19x the national rate for this defect)
6. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.2% of tests (6x the national rate for this defect)
7. Emissions test unable to be completed, 1.4% of tests (4.45x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.7% of tests (3.46x the national rate for this defect)
9. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 3% of tests (3.22x the national rate for this defect)
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.4% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect)

From 4,489 DVSA-tracked Mazda Rx-8 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.44% of these flagged Mazda Rx-8 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

Mazda Rx-8 pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each Mazda Rx-8 year:

• 2004 Mazda Rx-8 - 69.7% first-time pass, 492 tests
• 2005 Mazda Rx-8 - 68.4% first-time pass, 380 tests
• 2006 Mazda Rx-8 - 71.3% first-time pass, 557 tests
• 2007 Mazda Rx-8 - 72.8% first-time pass, 610 tests
• 2008 Mazda Rx-8 - 69.8% first-time pass, 397 tests
• 2009 Mazda Rx-8 - 75% first-time pass, 280 tests

Other Mazda models

• Mazda 2 - 73.4%
• Mazda 3 - 73.4%
• Mazda Mx-5 - 77.2%
• Mazda 6 - 74%
• Mazda Cx-5 - 83.1%
• Mazda Cx-3 - 88%
• Mazda 5 - 59%
• Mazda Bongo - 58.1%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Volkswagen Transporter - 70.8%
• Skoda Roomster - 70.8%
• Mercedes-Benz Viano - 70.7%
• Volkswagen Motor Caravan - 70.7%
• Rover 216 - 70.7%
• Land Rover Freelander - 70.6%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate