2006 Mazda RX-8 2.6L Petrol · LS06 LRK

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status, but the history reveals a pattern of reactive maintenance rather than proactive care. While the most recent test in May 2024 at 70,314 miles passed without defects, it followed a failure just one month prior at 70,283 miles. That previous failure identified a inoperative horn, illegal tyre tread, and perished rear suspension ball joint dust covers. This sequence suggests the vehicle is only serviced when necessary to pass the legal testing threshold. At 70,314 miles, this Mazda RX-8 has covered exceptionally low mileage for its age, averaging approximately 3,500 miles per year. There is a significant gap in testing between January 2019 and April 2024, during which the vehicle covered only 101 miles. Such low usage often indicates that the car sits for long periods, which frequently leads to the degradation of rubber components and fluid systems. The 2017 record specifically noted that front tyres were perishing, a common symptom of age-related decay rather than tread wear. A buyer must scrutinise the structural integrity of the underside, as surface corrosion was noted in 2024. The recurring failure of ball joint dust covers and anti-roll bar bushes across 2017 and 2024 indicates that the suspension rubber is reaching the end of its service life. Furthermore, the 2019 failure of the electronic power steering system is a significant red flag for this specific model, as such faults can be costly to rectify if the root cause remains addressed. Brake maintenance shows a consistent trend of thin pads and pitted discs, flagged in 2017 and 2019. Although these appear addressed since then, the buyer should check for renewed signs of the oil leak mentioned in 2017 and verify that the electronic power steering system remains fully functional. Given the low mileage and long intervals between tests, the primary risk lies in perished seals and seized moving components rather than mechanical wear from high-mile driving.