2003 Mazda RX-8 2.6L Petrol · RX53 CAL
2003 Mazda RX-8 (2.6L, petrol). First registered 17 Dec 2003. Recorded mileage 66,478 miles. MOT valid until 31 Mar 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- MAZDA RX-8
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 31 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 66,478 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
RX53 CAL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 02/04/2026
- 66,478 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
RX53 CAL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Mazda Rx-8 (RX53 CAL) between September 2022 and April 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 02 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (3 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”; “Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))”; “Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))”.
RX53 CAL Mileage History
- 20/09/202261,604 mi
- 20/10/202363,756 mi+2,152 mi
- 26/10/202363,769 mi+13 mi
- 31/03/202565,266 mi+1,497 mi
- 02/04/202666,478 mi+1,212 mi
Average of roughly 1,380 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Mazda Mazda RX-8
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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MAZDA RX-8 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Low Compression and Hot-Start FailureSerious
Wear in the rotary engine reduces compression, making the car increasingly hard to restart when warm and often leading to an expensive rebuild.
- Ignition Coil Failure and Catalytic Converter DamageModerate
Weak coils cause misfires and incomplete combustion, which can quickly overheat and destroy the catalyst on a rotary that already burns oil by design.
- Rear Arch and Sill CorrosionSerious
UK RX-8s rot around the rear arches, sills and front chassis rails, and fresh underseal can hide serious structural work.
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