2006 Mazda Rx-8 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,047 MOT tests on the 2006 Mazda Rx-8 are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.9% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (10.3%) and lighting & signalling (10.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 503 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Rx-8 fails 16.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 17.9% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.4% in 2021 to 23.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 419 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 416 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 399 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 288 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 169 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 165 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 503 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 253 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 210 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 173 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 145 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 141 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.8% | 1,044 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.4% | 906 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.5% | 830 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 544 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 428 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.4% | 380 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 237 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,473 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,698 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 558 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,115 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 935 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 787 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 654 | 24.9% |
| 2025 | 556 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Rx-8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: emissions & environmental accounted for 10.3% of tests. Start there.
- Emissions & environmental (10.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Mazda Rx-8s pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 4,047 2006 Mazda Rx-8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mazda Rx-8?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.3%).
Does the 2006 Rx-8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,047 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.