Used car guide

2008 Mazda RX-8: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mazda RX-8 first registered in 2008: we looked at the 1,215 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,215MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,000typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Mazda RX-8?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Mazda RX-8 than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.4× usual
    Mazda RX-8
    7.2% All 2008 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2% of all 2008 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: 4.9% here, against 11.4% of all 2008 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.4% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Mazda RX-8 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Mazda RX-8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    25% 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
    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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Mazda RX-8

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2008 Mazda RX-8 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mazda RX-8 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011–Too few tests
2010306Brakes 26%
2009824Brakes 25%
20071,804Suspension 32%
20061,702Suspension 31%
20051,137Suspension 32%
20041,506Suspension 32%
2003276Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda RX-8 cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score