Porsche 911 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Porsche 911 car check
Is the Porsche 911 reliable? We analysed 977,057 real MOT tests across 73,061 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Porsche 911? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Porsche 911 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Porsche 911.
Porsche 911 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Porsche 911. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Porsche 911 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Porsche 911 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Porsche 911 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Porsche 911 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Porsche 911 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Porsche 911 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Porsche 911 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Porsche 911 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Porsche 911 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Porsche 911 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | 87.5% | 6,497 | 14,976 | 28,794 |
| 2020 | 2,782 | 95.3% | 10,306 | 15,772 | 23,111 |
| 2019 | 10,536 | 94.7% | 10,610 | 16,472 | 24,259 |
| 2018 | 13,638 | 94.1% | 7,753 | 14,093 | 22,633 |
| 2017 | 14,354 | 94.7% | 11,638 | 18,663 | 28,424 |
| 2016 | 14,700 | 94.5% | 11,926 | 20,747 | 31,838 |
| 2015 | 16,422 | 94.4% | 14,010 | 22,961 | 34,821 |
| 2014 | 16,714 | 93.7% | 14,848 | 24,241 | 37,009 |
| 2013 | 15,048 | 93.6% | 19,158 | 30,156 | 44,720 |
| 2012 | 19,282 | 92.4% | 21,459 | 33,764 | 48,670 |
| 2011 | 16,589 | 91.4% | 19,124 | 31,332 | 46,269 |
| 2010 | 25,516 | 90.4% | 20,399 | 34,022 | 51,023 |
| 2009 | 23,740 | 89.5% | 25,885 | 40,695 | 58,932 |
| 2008 | 34,576 | 88.7% | 24,135 | 38,907 | 57,560 |
| 2007 | 50,690 | 88.2% | 25,204 | 40,837 | 60,203 |
| 2006 | 62,761 | 86.2% | 29,784 | 46,650 | 66,763 |
| 2005 | 66,583 | 86.3% | 31,675 | 49,844 | 70,187 |
| 2004 | 61,870 | 84.1% | 32,952 | 51,788 | 73,047 |
| 2003 | 70,754 | 83.0% | 37,006 | 56,599 | 78,837 |
| 2002 | 67,625 | 82.4% | 41,549 | 61,777 | 83,685 |
How Long Does a Porsche 911 Last?
Based on 73,061 Porsche 911 vehicles on UK roads.
Porsche 911 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Porsche 911 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Porsche 911
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.3% MOT pass rate from 2,782 tests
75.1% MOT pass rate from 3,811 tests
The best year to buy a used Porsche 911 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.3% across 2,782 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Porsche 911 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 THIS CAR | 85.2% | 977,057 | 55,056 mi | 47 yrs |
| Porsche Boxster | 82.8% | 726,695 | 55,739 mi | 29 yrs |
| Porsche Cayenne | 84.5% | 388,697 | 65,616 mi | 23 yrs |
| Porsche Macan | 92% | 203,934 | 38,518 mi | 12 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Porsche Boxster (82.8% pass rate) and the Porsche Cayenne (84.5% pass rate), the Porsche 911 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Porsche 911 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Porsche 911Should you buy a used Porsche 911?
The Porsche 911 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.2% across 977,057 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Porsche 911 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (20,869 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (7,590), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (6,439). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Porsche 911 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Porsche 911 owner drives around 1,867 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Porsche 911 models stay on UK roads for around 47 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.