Mazda RX-8
Registered from 2002 to 2011.
About this model
The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda between 2003 and 2012. It was first shown in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the direct successor to the RX-7. Like its predecessors in the RX range, it is powered by a rotary Wankel engine. The RX-8 was available for the 2003 model year in most parts of the world.
From the Wikipedia article Mazda RX-8, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2007 2.6 petrol. 185 of 790 tests failed, 23%.
Better than 67% of 2007 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 935 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust and emissions | 42% | 77 |
| Brakes | 36% | 67 |
| Suspension | 34% | 62 |
| Lights and electrics | 24% | 45 |
| Tyres and wheels | 19% | 36 |
| Visibility | 11% | 20 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Where it stands out against its peers
- Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 97% of 2007 cars — 42% of its 185 failed tests, where an ordinary 2007 car has 12%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Exhaust and emissions — 42% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Brakes — 36% of its failures
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Suspension — 34% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Tyres and wheels — 19% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Lights and electrics — 24% of its failures
- Visibility — 11% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 19% of its inspections, against the 29% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 21% | 16% | 107 | |
| 40–60k miles | 21% | 21% | 229 | |
| 60–80k miles | 25% | 24% | 265 | |
| 80–100k miles | 29% | 27% | 122 | |
| 100–120k miles | 19% | 29% | 36 |
759 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00409/22
The lower front suspension ball joint holder may break and can detach from the from the ball joint, causing directional instability which increases the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00508/22
When the airbag is activated, a defect in the gas generator of the driver airbag may result in uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments, which can cause injury to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01527/21
The fuel pump caps may crack and the fuel tank cap may loosen.This could result in loss of fuel, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0851/18
Cracks can form on the socket of the front lower transverse link. As a consequence, the socket could break and detach from the transverse link which impairs steering.
Recall of the product from end users