Mazda RX-8 (2009–2011) Reliability
The Mazda RX-8 (2009–2011) scores 81/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA, NHTSA data. The most-flagged failure mode is rotary apex seal wear + hot-start flooding on the 13B engine, typically surfacing between 60,000 and 140,000 km. Workshop repair runs €3,000–€7,000. Estimated used prices span €5,100–€7,300.
Reliability by Source
Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.
UK MOT Reliability Detail
Based on 4,083 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.
Most Common MOT Failure Categories
Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.
Known Issues
Specific failure modes documented across European workshops, owner forums, and TSBs. Costs in EUR (and USD reference) reflect typical retail European labor + parts ranges — specialist shops at the low end, dealer pricing at the high end.
Compare Against Alternatives
See how the Mazda RX-8 stacks up against direct rivals — same segment, similar price band, side-by-side risk + reliability.
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