2007 Mazda Rx-8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,171 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mazda Rx-8, the most common recorded failure areas were emissions & environmental, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 76.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.1% in the 120-150k group versus 19.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 429 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.6% | 401 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 370 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.7% | 320 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 169 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 160 |
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 | 524 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 200 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 186 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 160 |
| 5 | Wipers | 153 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 149 |
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 | 27.6% | 1,149 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.6% | 1,025 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.0% | 876 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 473 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 308 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 261 |
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 | 296 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,520 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,781 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 478 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 84 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,118 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 929 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 824 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 712 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 588 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Rx-8
Before buying a 2007 Mazda Rx-8, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Emissions & environmental accounted for 10.3% of tests for this year.
- 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.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2007 Mazda Rx-8s pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 4,171 2007 Mazda Rx-8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mazda Rx-8?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by suspension (9.6%).
Does the 2007 Rx-8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,171 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.