Mazda RX-8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda RX-8 car check
Is the Mazda RX-8 reliable? We analysed 304,386 real MOT tests across 25,254 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda RX-8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda RX-8 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, anti-roll bar linkage insecure and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda RX-8.
Mazda RX-8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda RX-8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda RX-8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda RX-8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda RX-8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda RX-8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda RX-8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda RX-8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda RX-8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda RX-8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 378 | 83.9% | 28,994 | 42,024 | 59,602 |
| 2010 | 2,137 | 81.4% | 27,974 | 42,566 | 61,208 |
| 2009 | 7,863 | 77.5% | 27,454 | 42,179 | 60,508 |
| 2008 | 15,888 | 75.5% | 27,435 | 42,719 | 60,636 |
| 2007 | 36,992 | 73.8% | 29,220 | 44,002 | 61,381 |
| 2006 | 54,563 | 73.6% | 31,564 | 46,349 | 63,156 |
| 2005 | 57,864 | 72.6% | 33,264 | 48,306 | 64,763 |
| 2004 | 105,969 | 72.1% | 35,235 | 50,944 | 67,724 |
| 2003 | 22,495 | 71.5% | 34,521 | 50,370 | 67,638 |
How Long Does a Mazda RX-8 Last?
Based on 25,254 Mazda RX-8 vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda RX-8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda RX-8 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda RX-8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.9% MOT pass rate from 378 tests
71.5% MOT pass rate from 22,495 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda RX-8 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.9% across 378 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda RX-8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda RX-8 THIS CAR | 73.0% | 304,386 | 48,058 mi | 23 yrs |
| Mazda MX-5 | 76.5% | 2,502,760 | 63,190 mi | 36 yrs |
| Mazda 3 | 77.5% | 2,040,939 | 61,041 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mazda 6 | 75.4% | 1,904,140 | 77,387 mi | 24 yrs |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | 69.9% | 288,943 | 141,476 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda RX-8 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda RX-8 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mazda RX-8Should you buy a used Mazda RX-8?
The Mazda RX-8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.0% across 304,386 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mazda RX-8 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (20,515 recorded failures), anti-roll bar linkage insecure (8,979), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (8,531). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mazda RX-8 owner drives around 4,376 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mazda RX-8 models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.