Does the Mazda RX-8 fail the MOT on body, chassis and structure more than it should?
The Mazda RX-8 records 6.07 body, chassis and structure failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 12.82 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−6.75, 95% interval −7.26 to −6.25). It ranks 578 of 663 models on body, chassis and structure (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on body, chassis and structure · check a Mazda RX-8 by registration
What exactly fails on body, chassis and structure?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda RX-8 is “Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced”, recorded 382 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 382 | 1.97 |
| Exhaust system leaking or insecure | 326 | 1.68 |
| Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 253 | 1.30 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 19,422 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mazda RX-8 gets a body, chassis and structure advisory, how often does it fail next time?
8.3% of Mazda RX-8 MOTs with a body, chassis and structure advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 1,698 miles later (969 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 969 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mazda RX-8 2003 · Mazda RX-8 2004 · Mazda RX-8 2005 · Mazda RX-8 2006 · Mazda RX-8 2007 · Mazda RX-8 2008 · Mazda RX-8 2009 · Mazda RX-8 2010 · Mazda RX-8 by postcode area · Mazda RX-8 brakes failures · Mazda RX-8 vehicle identification failures · Mazda RX-8 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda RX-8 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda RX-8 road wheels failures · Mazda RX-8 seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda RX-8 steering failures · Mazda RX-8 suspension failures · Mazda RX-8 tyres failures · Mazda RX-8 visibility failures