Used car guide

2018 Porsche Cayenne petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Porsche Cayenne first registered in 2018 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 3,356 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,356MOTs of 2018 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
91%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)
7,600typical miles a year
20%had tyres flagged

Common 2018 Porsche Cayenne petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Porsche Cayenne petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    10% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    5% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2018 Porsche Cayenne petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Steering column, rear axle and engine recalls

    Some cars

    Recalls covered steering column screws not to specification, rear axle geometry and trailing arm lock nuts, the brake wear display, and possible cracking of the engine cylinder bores.

    At the viewing: Ask a Porsche centre to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Porsche Cayenne (2018 on) reliability

  • Kerbed wheels and worn rear seats

    All engines

    Town use leaves scuffed bodywork and kerbed alloys, and heavy loads wear the rear seats.

    At the viewing: Look over the wheels, corners and rear seats.

    Source: What Car?: used Porsche Cayenne (2018 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Porsche Cayenne petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have all the recalls been done, including the cylinder bore check?
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Porsche Cayenne?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Porsche Cayenne compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023130Tyres 13%
20222,484Tyres 19%
20213,115Tyres 21%
20207,140Tyres 21%
20199,554Tyres 21%
20175,377Tyres 24%
20168,347Tyres 23%
20157,068Tyres 23%
20145,650Tyres 23%
20136,494Tyres 24%
20125,827Tyres 25%
20113,660Tyres 25%
20102,656Tyres 24%
20092,471Tyres 26%
20081,757Tyres 25%
20072,108Lights and electrics 30%
20062,687Lights and electrics 27%
20053,893Lights and electrics 30%
20043,214Lights and electrics 33%
20031,567Lights and electrics 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Porsche Cayenne cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score