Porsche 914 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Porsche 914 car check
Is the Porsche 914 reliable? We analysed 1,470 real MOT tests across 258 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Porsche 914? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Porsche 914 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Porsche 914.
Porsche 914 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Porsche 914. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Porsche 914 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Porsche 914 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Porsche 914 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Porsche 914 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Porsche 914 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Porsche 914 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Porsche 914 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Porsche 914 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 83 | 83.1% | 40,912 | 59,250 | 82,691 |
| 2014 | 68 | 80.9% | 22,488 | 51,751 | 91,685 |
| 2011 | 53 | 69.8% | 15,665 | 19,486 | 54,304 |
| 1998 | 79 | 79.7% | 34,567 | 63,971 | 86,554 |
| 1993 | 64 | 82.8% | 31,159 | 35,802 | 54,280 |
| 1975 | 101 | 79.2% | 36,214 | 87,082 | 92,392 |
| 1974 | 83 | 75.9% | 48,762 | 64,507 | 83,694 |
| 1972 | 103 | 72.8% | 16,230 | 60,480 | 90,050 |
| 1971 | 53 | 71.7% | 16,497 | 66,446 | 81,871 |
| 1970 | 60 | 80.0% | 17,935 | 22,248 | 46,867 |
How Long Does a Porsche 914 Last?
Based on 258 Porsche 914 vehicles on UK roads.
Porsche 914 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Porsche 914 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 914
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.1% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
69.8% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Porsche 914 is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.1% across 83 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Porsche 914 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 914 THIS CAR | 76.9% | 1,470 | 47,887 mi | 56 yrs |
| Porsche 911 | 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 |
| Rieju Marathon | 69.6% | 1,491 | 5,258 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Porsche 911 (85.2% pass rate) and the Porsche Boxster (82.8% pass rate), the Porsche 914 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Porsche 914 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 914Should you buy a used Porsche 914?
The Porsche 914 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.9% across 1,470 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 914 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (105 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (68), and brake binding (44). 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.
A typical Porsche 914 owner drives around 451 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 914 models stay on UK roads for around 56 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.