PORSCHE 944 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 444 MOT tests from 29 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 944 has the same fault.

PORSCHE 944's have a very good reliability rating of 660/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PORSCHE 944 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, and road tax for the PORSCHE 944.

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	1987	636/999Good	117,925 miles	1,083 vehicles
Petrol	1984	655/999Good	108,674 miles	1,506 vehicles
Petrol	1983	671/999Good	90,031 miles	1,358 vehicles
Petrol	1982	678/999Good	81,968 miles	853 vehicles

How reliable is the PORSCHE 944?

Based on 444 MOT tests from 29 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

MOT tests

444

Pass rate

68.9%

Median mileage

113,885 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PORSCHE 944 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 500 out of 999.

Common PORSCHE 944 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 59 advisory comments and 17 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 70 advisory comments and 5 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 REAR BRAKE PIPE SLIGHTLY CORRODED (3.6.B.2C)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 23 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 REAR FOG LAMP NOT WORKING (1.3.2B)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 15 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 parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 12 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 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: OFFSIDE WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (8.2.3)

Suspension bush issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 10 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or deteriorated bush that was not already counted as an anti-roll bar or suspension arm defect.

What to inspect

Listen for knocks and ask which bush the tester named.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT MACPHERSON STRUT HAS SLIGHT PLAY IN THE SLIDING BUSH OR GLAND (2.5.B.1B)

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 8 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 an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT EXCESSIVE (7.3.B.1A)

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 8 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

PORSCHE 944 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
1989	6	114	69.3%	Corrosion, Suspension bush issues
1988	5	66	74.2%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1986	6	62	71%	Corrosion, Anti-roll bar issues

What to check when buying a used PORSCHE 944

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.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Suspension bush issues. Listen for knocks and ask which bush the tester named.
Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Buying a PORSCHE 944?

Common problems tell you what can affect PORSCHE 944s 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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