How much does a 2005 MAZDA RX-8 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 MAZDA RX-8?

The 2005 MAZDA RX-8 has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 682 tests in 2026. This ranks 269 out of 526 cars from 2005.

Which year MAZDA RX-8 is most reliable?

The 2010 MAZDA RX-8 has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 73%.

MAZDA RX-8 (2005)

Q: Is the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MAZDA RX-8s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 682 tests. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2005 MAZDA RX-8?

The average mileage for a 2005 MAZDA RX-8 is 66,967 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 682 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2616cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 8 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MAZDA RX-8

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2616cc21 years old682 tests67k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2616cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2616cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,577

Per month£215/mo

Per week£50/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MAZDA RX-8

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 21 years old, 74% of MAZDA RX-8s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 682 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 66,967 miles.

Got a MAZDA RX-8 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars269th of 526(top 51%)

Rank among MAZDA models328th of 483(top 68%)

vs national average-8%(82% avg)

vs 2005 cars average+2%(72% avg)

vs MAZDA average-7%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,967

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 MAZDA RX-8 has 66,967 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific MAZDA RX-8?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2005 sits between the two at 74%.

MAZDA RX-8 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	85%	169	63,729 mi
2009	81%	530	66,357 mi
2008	75%	816	66,277 mi
2007	77%	1,083	64,619 mi
2006	76%	999	66,411 mi
2005	74%	682	66,967 mi
2004	73%	914	68,061 mi
2003	82%	169	70,074 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

AUDI TT

2007 · 2480cc Petrol

£2,247/year

80%

+6%

SAAB 9-3

2007 · 2792cc Petrol

£2,397/year

76%

+2%

MERCEDES E

2005 · 2597cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+4%

NISSAN X-TRAIL

2006 · 2488cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-7%

Check a Specific Mazda Rx-8

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

The 2005 MAZDA RX-8 is a large car with a 2616cc petrol engine. 682 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 66,967 miles at 21 years old, MAZDA RX-8 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2005 MAZDA RX-8 Fuel Costs

The 2616cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 MAZDA RX-8?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA RX-8 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA RX-8s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 MAZDA RX-8

At 21 years old, the MAZDA RX-8 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 85%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 MAZDA RX-8's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 21 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA RX-8(2005)	74%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2577
AUDI TT(2007)	80%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2247-£330
SAAB 9-3(2007)	76%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£180
MERCEDES E(2005)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£180
NISSAN X-TRAIL(2006)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£20

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.