2008 Mazda Rx-8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,640 MOT tests, the 2008 Mazda Rx-8 recorded a 78.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (8.9%) and suspension (8.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 267 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.9% in the 0-30k band and 24.8% in the 90-120k band, a 8.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 235 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.1% | 214 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 203 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.0% | 184 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 105 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 73 |
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 | 267 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 105 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 89 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 86 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 84 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 82 |
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% | 729 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.1% | 610 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.5% | 568 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 291 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 267 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 237 |
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 | 195 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 963 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,098 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 355 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 626 | 20.6% |
| 2022 | 553 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 550 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 488 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 423 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Rx-8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: emissions & environmental accounted for 8.9% of tests. Start there.
- Emissions & environmental (8.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (8.1% 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 (7.7% 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 2008 Mazda Rx-8s pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 2,640 2008 Mazda Rx-8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mazda Rx-8?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by suspension (8.1%).
Does the 2008 Rx-8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,640 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.