Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Mazda Rx8?

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 Rx8?

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 Rx8?

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 Rx8 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 100 vehicles, the 2004 Mazda Rx8 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Mazda Rx8?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Mazda Rx8 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (76.2% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (69.7% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (50.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Mazda Rx8?

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 Rx8 (2004)

100 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.3% first-time pass rate

2004 Mazda Rx8

CarHunch analysed 100 real MOT records for the 2004 Mazda Rx8. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Mazda RX-8 is struggling at the MOT: its 74.3% first-time pass rate sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these cars are aging less gracefully than most. A dangerous defect rate of 16% is within acceptable bounds, but the high failure count of 3.26 per vehicle suggests systemic wear issues that buyers should expect.

These RX-8s are running at a typical mileage for their age (median 50,140 miles), yet racking up substantial advisory lists averaging 12.5 items per test—pointing to cumulative degradation rather than high-mileage abuse. Before purchasing, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the rotary engine's compression and sealing, as this engine type is particularly prone to deterioration when not meticulously maintained.

We have limited data for the 2004 Mazda Rx8 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.3%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

16%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.26

Over 12.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

50k

Middle half: 40k–61k

For context

These stats describe 100 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 100 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 76.2%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 49.2%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 29.2%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive · Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Other issues 23.8%

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Wipers & washers 18.4%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 100 Mazda Rx8 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Mazda Rx8

Based on MOT data from 100 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 16% 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 (93%)	93	74.2%	3.28

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Mazda Rx8 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.

50,140

typical

39,540

low mileage

60,588

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Mazda Rx8 vehicles fall between 39,540 and 60,588 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,540 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.

✓ 39,540–60,588 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Mazda Rx8s sit.

⚠ Over 81,793 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Mazda Rx8 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 14% of 2004 Mazda Rx8s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

12.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.26

Avg failures per vehicle

12.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Mazda Rx8 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on