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Porsche 928 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Porsche 928 car check

Is the Porsche 928 reliable? We analysed 7,969 real MOT tests across 782 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 7,969 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.0%
Typical Mileage
96,096mi
Annual Mileage
680mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
48yrs

The Porsche 928 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and headlamp aim too low. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Porsche 928.

Porsche 928 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Porsche 928. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Porsche 928 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Porsche 928 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

77.7%
1995
77.4%
1994
75.3%
1993
77.6%
1992
80.4%
1991
82.4%
1990
79.6%
1989
84.3%
1988
83%
1987
68.9%
1982
65.5%
1981
70%
1980
74.5%
1979
76.8%
1978

Porsche 928 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Porsche 928 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 243
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 239
Headlamp aim too low 162
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 153
fog lamp not working 123
Headlamp aim too high 112
brake binding 104
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 100
Steering rack gaiter split 93
Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded 93

Porsche 928 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Porsche 928 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
189 mi/yr
Typical
680 mi/yr
Average
1,532 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,776 mi/yr

Porsche 928 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Porsche 928 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1995 1,045 77.7% 53,932 73,874 101,932
1994 945 77.4% 57,132 83,718 105,255
1993 900 75.3% 63,443 91,581 114,013
1992 554 77.6% 86,118 112,099 134,683
1991 555 80.4% 87,857 104,798 143,482
1990 882 82.4% 71,175 100,292 122,240
1989 895 79.6% 77,775 108,053 139,269
1988 83 84.3% 74,140 81,403 94,608
1987 88 83.0% 49,244 77,896 108,460
1982 334 68.9% 77,634 104,678 133,167
1981 223 65.5% 75,025 118,098 140,142
1980 377 70.0% 67,940 102,851 126,072
1979 607 74.5% 75,924 101,672 113,987
1978 263 76.8% 82,388 100,963 121,674

How Long Does a Porsche 928 Last?

Based on 782 Porsche 928 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
28.9 years
Median
30.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
48 years

Porsche 928 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Porsche 928 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
96,096 mi
75th Percentile
122,190 mi
95th Percentile
166,724 mi
Max Recorded
978,822 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Porsche 928

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1988

84.3% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

Year to avoid
1981

65.5% MOT pass rate from 223 tests

The best year to buy a used Porsche 928 is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.3% across 83 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Porsche 928 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Porsche 928 THIS CAR 77.0% 7,969 96,096 mi 48 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
Yamaha Xjr 1300 90.4% 5,805 14,436 mi 28 yrs

Compared to the Porsche 911 (85.2% pass rate) and the Porsche Boxster (82.8% pass rate), the Porsche 928 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Porsche 928?

The Porsche 928 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.0% across 7,969 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 928 are exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (243 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (239), and headlamp aim too low (162). 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 928 owner drives around 680 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 928 models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.

Porsche 928 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Porsche 928 reliable?
Based on 7,969 MOT tests, the Porsche 928 has a 77.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Porsche 928?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and headlamp aim too low. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Porsche 928 do per year?
The typical Porsche 928 does around 680 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Porsche 928 last?
Most Porsche 928 models stay on UK roads for around 48 years based on our analysis of 782 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Porsche 928?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Porsche 928?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Porsche 928 is 1988 with a 84.3% pass rate across 83 tests.