Used car guide

2006 Mazda RX-8: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Mazda RX-8s, from 487 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 487 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

487MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
3,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Mazda RX-8s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.1× usual
    Mazda RX-8
    7.2% All 2006 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.3% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars. Coil springs: 4.9% here, against 11.2% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Mazda RX-8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Mazda RX-8?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010104Suspension 26%
2009252Suspension 28%
2008361Suspension 35%
2007505Suspension 37%
2005328Suspension 31%
2004434Suspension 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Mazda RX-8s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score