PORSCHE CAYENNE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,622 MOT tests from 336 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 CAYENNE has the same fault.

PORSCHE CAYENNE's have a very good reliability rating of 668/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PORSCHE CAYENNE 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 CAYENNE.

PORSCHE CAYENNE (example)

Check the reliability of your Porsche Cayenne

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2018	751/999Very good	71,361 miles	1,034 vehicles
Diesel	2015	729/999Very good	70,200 miles	1,543 vehicles
Diesel	2012	672/999Good	75,161 miles	1,533 vehicles
Diesel	2011	653/999Good	76,662 miles	1,247 vehicles
Diesel	2010	628/999Good	81,469 miles	834 vehicles
Petrol	2003	575/999Above average	84,177 miles	1,095 vehicles

How reliable is the PORSCHE CAYENNE?

Based on 3,622 MOT tests from 336 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

336

MOT tests

3,622

Pass rate

84.2%

Median mileage

97,909 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PORSCHE CAYENNE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 691 out of 999.

Common PORSCHE CAYENNE 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 584 advisory comments and 65 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: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 263 advisory comments and 27 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 brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 111 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 77 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))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 63 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 coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Headlamp faults

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 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: OFFSIDE HEADLAMP AIM TOO HIGH (4.1.2 (A))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 11 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: SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES A FAULT (7.1.6 (A))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 10 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 (1.4.2 (A) (I))

PORSCHE CAYENNE 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	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	8	5	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022	8	10	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2021	5	11	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2020	7	28	92.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2019	18	93	94.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	11	77	94.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	22	152	89.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	20	186	86.6%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2015	29	281	86.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	26	292	85.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	23	277	85.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	31	421	82.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	15	212	85.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	13	157	87.3%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2009	10	181	76.2%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2008	5	68	88.2%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2007	13	248	80.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2006	10	203	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005	13	285	80.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2004	17	356	82%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used PORSCHE CAYENNE

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.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.
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.

Buying a PORSCHE CAYENNE?

Common problems tell you what can affect PORSCHE CAYENNEs 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.

Browse Other PORSCHE Models

← Back to Reliability Check