2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Mazda RX-8 MOT pass rate and common faults

280 MOT tests in 2024. 69.6% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

119Well above average
Passed first time69.6%
Failed or needed repairs30.4%
Typical mileage at test65,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 280 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.2%
  2. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.9%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.5%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  7. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.8%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
    7 marked dangerous
  9. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  10. Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Emissions & leaks13.9%
  2. Suspension12.9%
  3. Lights & electrics11.8%
  4. Brakes10.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.1%
  6. Tyres4.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags2.9%
  8. Body & chassis1.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.9%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened8.6%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding7.9%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.1%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2009 Mazda RX-8?

In 2024, 69.6% of 2009 Mazda RX-8 cars passed their MOT first time, across 280 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Mazda RX-8?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was emissions & leaks.

Is the 2009 Mazda RX-8 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 119, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).