1 in 3 Mazda RX8 fail emmissions test on MOT!

[timja]

My dads RX8 went in for it's 1st MOT today having done just 14000 miles. Failed.

Cat needs replacing (it was replaced only 1 year ago!) and Failed emission test!

Garage said that about 1 in 3 fail the emissions test! Mainly caused by lots of initial tweeking of engine and CPU due to teething problems and running too rich etc.

Fortunately his was in warranty by 7 days, so they are replacing parts F.O.C., but if anyone else has an RX8 approaching 3 years old, I recommend taking it in before warranty runs out!!

[RobDickinson]

Its always best to get the MOT a few weeks early if still in warrenty.

But as an ex RS8 owner this doesnt suprise me, even after tweaking the engine managment code they were still toasting cats and something was up. Considering there supposed to pass the (as yet) non mandatory EuroIV doesnt sound good.

My only long term worry when running one was the rate at which they ate CAT's and the epxense for replacing them once out of warrenty.

Edit: Actualy fro looking at the owners club forum (still a moderator on there) its nowhere near that big an issue with many cars passing with flying colours.

edit2: Infact I can only see 1 car thats failed emmisions and that had some tweaking (non cat replacement) and passed.

Edited by RobDickinson on Monday 18th December 22:26

[timja]

Statistic of 1 in 3 was from service manager at Mazda garage - No idea if that's a true representation!

[seanp]

timja said:

Statistic of 1 in 3 was from service manager at Mazda garage - No idea if that's a true representation!

Let's see now - he's had 3 in for MOT - 1 failed

Still, something for us '8 owners to be aware of approaching 3 years...

[havoc]

Gazboy said:

God that's a scarey statistic. Wasn't a similar number of S2000's failing on worn bushes?

Nothing on S2ki about that. There's a (currently quite small) issue with suspension adjustment bolts seizing (expensive if they do), but nothing else I'm aware of.