Used car guide · 2003–2026

Porsche Cayenne common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Porsche Cayenne, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 90,676 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Porsche Cayenne

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. 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 Cayenne as a whole.

1,646registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Plug-in hybridmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

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).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Porsche Cayenne?

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.

  • Steering column, rear axle and engine recalls

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · 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

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · 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

Common Porsche Cayenne MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2018.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Porsche Cayenne MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Porsche Cayenne did best (82% passed first time, 22 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (94%, 5 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3130 (small sample)
202294%89% +52,484
202193%87% +63,115
202093%87% +67,140
201993%85% +89,554
201888%83% +55,477
201787%80% +75,377
201686%77% +98,347
201586%74% +127,068
201484%70% +145,650
201383%67% +166,494
201282%64% +185,827
201182%62% +203,660
201082%60% +222,656
200974%59% +152,471
200876%57% +191,757
200773%57% +162,108
200674%56% +182,687
200572%57% +153,893
200472%57% +153,214
200372%57% +151,567

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Porsche Cayenne

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. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Porsche Cayenne as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Porsche Cayenne as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Porsche Cayenne as on other cars the same age.)
  5. 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, 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