Does the Mazda RX-8 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mazda RX-8 records 20.89 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.08 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+12.81, 95% interval +12.17 to +13.45). It ranks 2 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Mazda RX-8 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda RX-8 is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 1,220 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 1,220 | 6.28 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 800 | 4.12 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 789 | 4.06 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 616 | 3.17 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 276 | 1.42 |
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 noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
15.0% of Mazda RX-8 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 1,885 miles later (957 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 957 (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 body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda RX-8 brakes failures · Mazda RX-8 vehicle identification failures · Mazda RX-8 lamps, reflectors and electrics 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