Used buying checklist
Mazda Rx 8 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Mazda Rx 8 looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 22.8% of 4,056 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 22.8% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 64,105 miles
- 926 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (58.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded and seriously weakened, excessively corroded, and or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
- leaking excessively from engine
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- lens slightly defective
Focus on corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 22.8%, +4.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed4,056 tests
- Median tested mileage64,105 miles
- Failed MOT tests926
Should you buy a used Mazda Rx 8?
77.2% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 22.8%, +4.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (58.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Mazda Rx 8, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 18.8% at 10-15 years to 23.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (58.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (18.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (18.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (15.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mazda Rx 8, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (58.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Mazda Rx 8 mainly involve 3 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, seatbelts and safety systems, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Mazda Rx 8, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 1,091 | 892 | 18.5%+7.7 percentage points vs all models | 38,629 miles |
| 50-100k | 2,571 | 1,985 | 24.7%+4.0 percentage points vs all models | 69,803 miles |
| 100-150k | 324 | 252 | 25.6%-0.6 percentage points vs all models | 108,221 miles |
| 150-200k | 16 | 13 | 25.0%-2.3 percentage points vs all models | 158,036 miles |
| 200k+ | 1 | 1 | 100.0%+73.4 percentage points vs all models | 206,510 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Mazda Rx 8, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 18.8% at 10-15 years to 23.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 23.7% for 15+ years cars, based on 3,320 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
736 | 586 | 18.8%-4.8 percentage points vs all models | 14.1 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
3,320 | 2,584 | 23.7%-2.2 percentage points vs all models | 17.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2021-12-13 | FUEL MAY LEAK FROM FUEL PUMP RINGS Fuel may leak from fuel pump rings. Replace the fuel pump rings with new ones. |
|---|---|
| 2018-11-19 | THE TAKATA PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED Passenger airbag inflators may not operate as intended. Replacement of Airbag Assembly on affected vehicles. |
| 2018-01-31 | FUEL MAY LEAK On the subject vehicles the resin fuel pump rings located on the top surface of the fuel tank may deteriorate by heat from the engine and exhaust pipes. Over time this deterioration could cause the fuel tank to leak which may increase the risk a vehicle fire. The resin fuel pump discharge pipe mounted to the upper part of the fuel pump body (within the fuel tank) may also deteriorate following exposure to heat from the engine and exhaust systems. This deterioration may cause the pipe to crack creating a fuel leak which could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Fuel may leak from either the upper surface of the fuel tank and /or the fuel pump discharge pipe. In the worst case this may result in a fuel leak. This in turn could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Replacement of the resin fuel pump rings and the fitment of heat insulating pads on the upper surface of the fuel tank to prevent future deterioration by heat of the engine and exhaust systems. The fuel pump filter body will also be replaced with a modified version in order to address the concern of the deterioration of the fuel discharge pipe. |
| 2018-01-31 | FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT CASTING MAY CRACK / BREAK The front lower arm ball joint casting may have a crack due to inappropriate manufacturing process being used. In extreme driving conditions this could cause the casting to break and the ball joint to become detached. If this happens it could result in the driver losing control of the vehicle. Replace both left side and right side lower arms with modified units. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Mazda Rx 8. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Mazda reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.