Used car guide

2007 Mazda RX-8: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Mazda RX-8s, from 505 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

505MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
3,600typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Mazda RX-8s than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.2× usual
    Mazda RX-8
    7.3% All 2007 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.2% of all 2007 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

Coil springs: 5.5% here, against 11.7% of all 2007 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 5.3% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Mazda RX-8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    22% 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
    14% 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
    8% 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.

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Mazda RX-8s registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score