2010 Mazda Rx-8 — MOT failures & pass rate
638 MOT tests on the 2010 Mazda Rx-8 are in this dataset, and 79.9% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 19.0% of the time, so this is 1.0pp 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 (6.7%) and lighting & signalling (6.3%) 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 position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 58 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.9% once past 90-120k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 43 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 40 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 40 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.2% | 33 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.8% | 24 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 18 |
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 | 58 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 19 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 16 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 13 |
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 | 23.8% | 152 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.5% | 112 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.3% | 104 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 51 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 49 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 33 |
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 | 55 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 273 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 231 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 61 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 148 | 23.0% |
| 2022 | 136 | 19.9% |
| 2023 | 126 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 110 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 118 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Rx-8
On a 2010 Rx-8, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (6.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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 2010 Mazda Rx-8s pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 638 2010 Mazda Rx-8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mazda Rx-8?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.3%).
Does the 2010 Rx-8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 638 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.