Mazda RX-8 MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 68.1% of Mazda RX-8 MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 2,519 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 6–10 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 11 years and over
68.1%
All cars: 61.3% (6.8 points better). 2,515 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 63 | 69.8% | 60.2% | 58,750 miles |
| 15 | 162 | 74.7% | 58.6% | 66,250 miles |
| 16 | 287 | 69.3% | 57.5% | 68,750 miles |
| 17 | 442 | 64.7% | 57.2% | 63,750 miles |
| 18 | 514 | 68.9% | 57.0% | 63,750 miles |
| 19 | 417 | 65.9% | 57.2% | 63,750 miles |
| 20+ | 630 | 69.0% | 61.4% | 66,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Mazda RX-8 MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | RX-8 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 21.5% | 4.0% |
| Suspension | 18.3% | 13.7% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 15.6% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 12.1% | 10.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.3% | 4.2% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 8.4% |
| Visibility | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | 1.1% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength failed 5.0% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction failed 4.8% of tests · what this means
- Position lamp: not working failed 3.5% of tests · what this means
- Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits failed 3.3% of tests · what this means
- Service brake performance: excessively binding failed 3.0% of tests · what this means
- Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits failed 3.0% of tests · what this means
- Coil spring: fractured or broken failed 2.8% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 2.5% of tests · what this means
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 2.4% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect failed 2.1% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular RX-8?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every RX-8 version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 100.0%, electric 0.0%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Mazda models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.