Mazda RX-8 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Mazda RX-8, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 8,764 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2011 Mazda RX-8
Too few Mazda RX-8 cars first registered in 2011 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mazda RX-8 as a whole.
What to check on a 2011 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Mazda RX-8?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mazda RX-8 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Mazda RX-8 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 3.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
Engine warning light
up to 2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Mazda RX-8 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Mazda RX-8 did best (72% passed first time, 13 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2006 did worst (65%, 9 points above all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mazda RX-8
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Mazda RX-8 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Mazda RX-8 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Mazda RX-8?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score