2006 Mazda RX8 2.6L Petrol · PJ56 BPX

The 2006 Mazda RX8 presents a mixed maintenance picture with a clear underlying trend of corrosion and deferred attention to braking components. The most recent MOT, a pass recorded on 8 September 2025 at 97,609 miles, followed a failure on the same day for a registration plate lamp and multiple corroded rear brake pipes. The tester also flagged a minor exhaust gas leak and noted the vehicle was showing signs of corrosion. While the car ultimately passed, the need to rectify corroded brake pipework on the same day as the initial failure suggests the corrosion had been present for some time and was only just addressed to gain a pass. The record shows a recurring pattern of corrosion-related advisories and failures rather than a single isolated event. Mileage accumulation is notably low for a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 4,880 miles per year over its twenty-year life. The recorded mileages show a gap between September 2022 at 94,045 miles and September 2024 at 94,429 miles, a mere 384 miles over two years, indicating prolonged periods of very light use or standing. The mileage then jumped to 97,609 by September 2025, adding 3,180 miles in roughly twelve months. This irregular pattern of low annual mileage punctuated by a sudden increase raises questions about how the vehicle was stored and whether long periods of inactivity contributed to the corrosion issues now appearing in the braking system and structure. A buyer should treat the corrosion history as the primary concern. The 2024 test explicitly identified corrosion affecting the integral body structure underbody, with the tester noting structural rigidity was not yet significantly reduced. That advisory has not been revisited in the 2025 test, meaning its current condition is unknown. The rear brake pipes failed in September 2025 for corrosion covered in grease or other material, a sign that previous attempts may have masked rather than repaired the problem. The front brake discs and pads were flagged as worn in 2022, and rear brake discs were noted as pitted and corroded in 2024, suggesting braking components have been a persistent weak point. The exhaust system has also leaked gases at the most recent test, and all four tyres were worn to near the legal limit in 2022, indicating consumable upkeep has been reactive rather than proactive. An in-person inspection should focus on the underside, particularly the underbody structure around suspension mounting points, sills, and brake pipe runs. The corroded rear brake pipes that failed in 2025 should be examined to confirm whether they were properly replaced or merely cleaned and greased to pass. Front and rear brake discs and pads should be measured for wear and corrosion pitting, and the exhaust system should be checked for the source of the minor gas leak. The anti-roll bar linkage, which was flagged as insecurely attached in 2022, warrants a physical check to confirm it remains secure. Given the low mileage and corrosion history, a thorough inspection of rubber bushes, seals, and any components that may have deteriorated from age rather than use is equally important.