Sports car and convertible · 2003–2012 cars
Mazda RX-8 reliability
The Mazda RX-8 fails 31.9% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 11,459 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda RX-8 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 31.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 11,459
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda RX-8 ages
Each point is the share of Mazda RX-8s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda RX-8 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 24.6% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 24.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 28.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 32.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 33% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 33.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 33% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 33.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 33.5% | 42.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda RX-8 years
2009 cars come out best and 2006 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 368 | 23.4% | 28% fewer fails | 58,286 |
| 2009 RX-8 | 1,046 | 27.4% | 22% fewer fails | 63,798 |
| 2008 RX-8 | 1,541 | 31.4% | 13% fewer fails | 63,284 |
| 2007 RX-8 | 2,350 | 30.7% | 16% fewer fails | 62,926 |
| 2006 RX-8 | 2,240 | 34.8% | 7% fewer fails | 64,499 |
| 2005 RX-8 | 1,513 | 35% | 7% fewer fails | 64,408 |
| 2004 RX-8 | 1,948 | 33.1% | 13% fewer fails | 66,560 |
| 2003 | 381 | 30.2% | 21% fewer fails | 66,247 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda RX-8
Its weak spot is number plates and vin: 156% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.7%144% above avg
- Suspension10.9%15% below avg
- Lights and electrics10.5%36% below avg
- Brakes8.2%13% below avg
- Tyres4.2%28% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.1%31% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.7%43% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2%21% above avg
- Steering1.6%36% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 4.11% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 2
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.85% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 3
Position lamp not working 2.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 2.7% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 5
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.44% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 6
Service brake excessively binding 2.39% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 7
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.34% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.3% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda RX-8's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.25%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.05%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.12%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.82%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.23%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion6.1%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda RX-8
- 1
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 2
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda RX-8 covers about 4,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.9%
- Electric0.1%
Most common colours
Black, Blue, Red, Grey, Silver
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda RX-8 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | 5.6% | 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin V8 Vantage | 8.8% | 70% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB11 | 3.9% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Roadster | 19.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Convertible | 28.1% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda RX-8 | 31.9% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Cascada | 22.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Mazda models.
Questions
Mazda RX-8 questions, answered
Is the Mazda RX-8 reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda RX-8 is about average: it fails 31.9% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 53 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda RX-8 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda RX-8 are engine warning light inoperative or lit (4.11% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (2.85% of tests), position lamp not working (2.83% of tests). By area, exhaust, emissions and leaks fails 11.7% of its tests.
Which Mazda RX-8 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2006 cars do worst (7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mazda RX-8 do a year?
A typical Mazda RX-8 covers about 4,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mazda RX-8 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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