2003 Mazda Rx-8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 682 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Mazda Rx-8, the most common recorded failure areas were emissions & environmental, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 76.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.2% in the 90-120k group versus 12.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 11.6% | 79 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 67 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 65 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.2% | 49 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 34 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 26 |
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 | 78 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 69 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 39 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 36 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 34 |
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 | 26.3% | 179 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.9% | 170 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.6% | 161 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 94 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 87 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 81 |
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 | 58 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 222 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 249 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 193 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 151 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 137 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 105 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 96 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Rx-8
Before buying a 2003 Mazda Rx-8, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Emissions & environmental accounted for 11.6% of tests for this year.
- Emissions & environmental (11.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2003 Mazda Rx-8s pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 682 2003 Mazda Rx-8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda Rx-8?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2003 Rx-8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 682 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.