Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps reliable?

Based on MOT data from 109 vehicles, the 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps (2004)

109 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.1% first-time pass rate

2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps

CarHunch analysed 109 real MOT records for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2004 Mazda RX-8 231 PS is a genuinely problematic buy: just 25.2% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning three-quarters of these cars fail their MOT on first attempt. While the dangerous defect rate is mercifully low at 0.9%, the sheer scale of failures indicates serious underlying issues that will cost money to fix.

At 50,500 miles median, these cars show relatively low mileage for their age, yet still accumulate an average of 0.38 failures and 0.3 advisories per test, suggesting the RX-8's rotary engine and mechanical complexity are catching up with age regardless of how little they've been driven. If you're considering one, budget for significant repairs before or immediately after purchase, and have a pre-buy inspection by a specialist familiar with rotary engines.

We have limited data for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

76.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

0.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.38

Over 2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

50k

Middle half: 31k–61k

For context

These stats describe 109 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 109 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps

Based on MOT data from 109 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (79%)	86	77%	0.19

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,454

typical

30,803

low mileage

60,603

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps vehicles fall between 30,803 and 60,603 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 30,803 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 30,803–60,603 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Pss sit.

⚠ Over 81,814 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.38

Avg failures per vehicle

0.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Mazda Rx 8 231 Ps stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?