Porsche 911 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Porsche 911, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 143,440 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1989 Porsche 911
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Porsche 911 as a whole.
What to check on a 1989 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967
What usually goes wrong with a Porsche 911?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2012–2019 · All engines
Seven recalls
Recalls covered a bonnet catch that could let the bonnet open while driving, brake servo pipes, fuel pipes that could work loose and leak, side and passenger airbag detonators, and windscreens on Targa and Cabriolet models that could work loose.
At the viewing: Ask a Porsche centre to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Source: Auto Express: used Porsche 911 (991, 2011-2019) review
- Cars registered 2012–2019 · All engines
Misfires
A failed coil pack or crank sensor causes misfires.
At the viewing: Listen for an uneven idle and check for warning lights.
Source: Auto Express: used Porsche 911 (991, 2011-2019) review
- Cars registered 2012–2016 · Pre-facelift cars
Coolant in the footwell (pre-facelift)
Air con drain pipes can come off and let coolant into the footwell, where it can reach the electronics.
At the viewing: Feel the footwell carpets for damp.
Source: Auto Express: used Porsche 911 (991, 2011-2019) review
- Cars registered 2012–2019 · PDK automatic
PDK less reliable than the manual
The PDK twin-clutch gearbox tends to be less reliable than the manual.
At the viewing: Check the changes are smooth and there are no warnings.
Source: Auto Express: used Porsche 911 (991, 2011-2019) review
Common Porsche 911 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Anti-roll bar link joints
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 1998 and 1999.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Porsche 911 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Porsche 911 did best (91% passed first time, 31 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (95%, 6 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 95% | 89% +6 | 2,632 |
| 2021 | 96% | 87% +9 | 3,295 |
| 2020 | 95% | 87% +8 | 4,568 |
| 2019 | 95% | 85% +10 | 6,900 |
| 2018 | 94% | 83% +11 | 6,387 |
| 2017 | 94% | 80% +14 | 5,621 |
| 2016 | 95% | 77% +18 | 5,065 |
| 2015 | 95% | 74% +21 | 5,104 |
| 2014 | 94% | 70% +24 | 4,622 |
| 2013 | 93% | 67% +26 | 3,806 |
| 2012 | 92% | 64% +28 | 4,587 |
| 2011 | 92% | 62% +30 | 3,805 |
| 2010 | 91% | 60% +31 | 5,111 |
| 2009 | 89% | 59% +30 | 4,336 |
| 2008 | 88% | 57% +31 | 5,492 |
| 2007 | 87% | 57% +30 | 7,246 |
| 2006 | 86% | 56% +30 | 8,246 |
| 2005 | 85% | 57% +28 | 8,289 |
| 2004 | 83% | 57% +26 | 7,193 |
| 2003 | 80% | 57% +23 | 7,717 |
| 2002 | 80% | 58% +22 | 7,069 |
| 2001 | 82% | 60% +22 | 4,416 |
| 2000 | 80% | 61% +19 | 2,714 |
| 1999 | 80% | 63% +17 | 3,564 |
| 1998 | 81% | 65% +16 | 3,013 |
| 1997 | 87% | 65% +22 | 2,134 |
| 1996 | 88% | 66% +22 | 2,794 |
| 1995 | 87% | 67% +20 | 1,911 |
| 1994 | 87% | 67% +20 | 1,538 |
| 1993 | 86% | 68% +18 | 769 |
| 1992 | 89% | 69% +20 | 609 |
| 1991 | 87% | 71% +16 | 873 |
| 1990 | 87% | 72% +15 | 2,014 |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Porsche 911
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done? Can a Porsche centre confirm from the VIN?
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Porsche 911 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Porsche 911?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score