2007 · 17 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2007 Mazda RX-8 MOT pass rate and common faults

612 MOT tests in 2024. 68.1% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

120Well above average
Passed first time68.1%
Failed or needed repairs31.9%
Typical mileage at test65,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 612 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.1%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.9%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.9%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits3.4%
  5. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.4%
  6. Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.8%
  7. Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits2.6%
  8. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.5%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.5%
  10. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Emissions & leaks28.1%
  2. Brakes13.6%
  3. Lights & electrics13.4%
  4. Suspension11.3%
  5. Tyres4.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.1%
  7. Body & chassis2.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.9%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.5%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2007 Mazda RX-8?

In 2024, 68.1% of 2007 Mazda RX-8 cars passed their MOT first time, across 612 tests. The average for all 17-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2007 Mazda RX-8?

The most common failure reasons were catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; service brake performance: excessively binding; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was emissions & leaks.

Is the 2007 Mazda RX-8 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 120, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).