2009 Mazda Rx-8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Mazda Rx-8 passed 81.2% of its 1,731 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.4 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.4%) and emissions & environmental (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 166 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.4% | 128 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 125 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.1% | 123 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.1% | 106 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.6% | 63 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 55 |
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 | 166 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 50 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 48 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 48 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 46 |
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 | 21.0% | 364 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.2% | 349 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.5% | 321 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 150 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 105 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 93 |
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 | 106 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 648 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 756 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 208 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 390 | 14.9% |
| 2022 | 366 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 355 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 332 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 288 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Rx-8
On a 2009 Rx-8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (7.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
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 2009 Mazda Rx-8s pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 1,731 2009 Mazda Rx-8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mazda Rx-8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (7.2%).
Does the 2009 Rx-8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,731 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.