PORSCHE 911 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,649 MOT tests from 554 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every PORSCHE 911 has the same fault.

PORSCHE 911's have a very good reliability rating of 743/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PORSCHE 911 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the PORSCHE 911.

PORSCHE 911 (example)

Check the reliability of your Porsche 911

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2019	889/999Excellent	96,924 miles	636 vehicles
Petrol	2017	881/999Excellent	101,783 miles	1,159 vehicles
Petrol	2016	873/999Excellent	98,420 miles	1,633 vehicles
Petrol	2014	846/999Excellent	93,739 miles	1,509 vehicles
Petrol	2013	800/999Excellent	100,144 miles	1,087 vehicles
Petrol	2011	768/999Very good	94,940 miles	1,074 vehicles
Petrol	2008	691/999Good	92,060 miles	1,439 vehicles
Petrol	2003	609/999Good	78,852 miles	2,165 vehicles
Petrol	2001	587/999Above average	85,332 miles	1,929 vehicles
Petrol	1998	635/999Good	93,902 miles	970 vehicles
Petrol	1996	718/999Very good	89,476 miles	606 vehicles
Petrol	1991	740/999Very good	99,398 miles	549 vehicles
Petrol	1989	734/999Very good	99,279 miles	584 vehicles
Petrol	1987	743/999Very good	98,330 miles	505 vehicles
Petrol	1986	682/999Good	105,550 miles	854 vehicles
Petrol	1983	691/999Good	105,449 miles	812 vehicles

How reliable is the PORSCHE 911?

Based on 6,649 MOT tests from 554 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

554

MOT tests

6,649

Pass rate

84.7%

Median mileage

59,075 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PORSCHE 911 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 695 out of 999.

Common PORSCHE 911 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 865 advisory comments and 167 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 173 advisory comments and 37 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 87 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 83 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 80 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 40 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN HAS DAMAGE TO AN AREA LESS THAN A 10MM CIRCLE WITHIN ZONE 'A' (8.3.1A)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 39 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP(S) NOT WORKING (1.1.A.3B)

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 33 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP AIM TOO HIGH (1.8)

PORSCHE 911 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	20	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	13	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	25	4	75%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	30	26	96.2%	Tyre wear
2022	16	31	96.8%	Tyre wear
2021	11	28	92.9%	Tyre wear
2020	12	49	98%	Tyre wear
2019	17	80	98.8%	Tyre wear
2018	18	105	98.1%	Tyre wear
2017	13	101	96%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2016	13	104	92.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	12	112	89.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	8	76	96.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	10	106	89.6%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2012	13	152	96.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	7	92	88%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2010	15	217	95.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	16	224	89.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2007	28	510	87.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2006	24	440	86.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	20	431	83.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2004	20	457	81.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2003	28	596	81.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2002	24	520	78.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2001	11	257	76.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2000	10	205	85.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
1999	20	414	76.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1998	12	250	82.4%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
1997	9	211	82%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
1995	8	153	87.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
1990	5	84	85.7%	Oil leak, Anti-roll bar issues
1988	5	83	86.7%	Headlamp faults, Exhaust

What to check when buying a used PORSCHE 911

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Buying a PORSCHE 911?

Common problems tell you what can affect PORSCHE 911s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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