Mazda RX8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda RX8 car check
Is the Mazda RX8 reliable? We analysed 3,515 real MOT tests across 283 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda RX8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda RX8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda RX8.
Mazda RX8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda RX8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda RX8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda RX8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda RX8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda RX8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda RX8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda RX8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda RX8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda RX8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 107 | 70.1% | 32,659 | 48,237 | 59,020 |
| 2008 | 197 | 78.2% | 32,983 | 44,918 | 57,729 |
| 2007 | 392 | 71.9% | 28,876 | 43,567 | 62,424 |
| 2006 | 657 | 77.9% | 30,102 | 45,528 | 60,345 |
| 2005 | 627 | 75.3% | 30,312 | 44,874 | 60,751 |
| 2004 | 1,089 | 74.5% | 30,330 | 46,774 | 66,014 |
| 2003 | 398 | 76.1% | 27,725 | 40,380 | 57,107 |
How Long Does a Mazda RX8 Last?
Based on 283 Mazda RX8 vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda RX8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda RX8 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 RX8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.2% MOT pass rate from 197 tests
70.1% MOT pass rate from 107 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda RX8 is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.2% across 197 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda RX8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda RX8 THIS CAR | 75.2% | 3,515 | 45,098 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 |
| Ktm 990 Adventure 12 | 88.1% | 1,387 | 14,549 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda RX8 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda RX8 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 RX8Should you buy a used Mazda RX8?
The Mazda RX8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.2% across 3,515 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mazda RX8 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (183 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (101), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (87). 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 RX8 owner drives around 3,795 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 RX8 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.