Porsche 911 Carrera MOT pass rate and common problems
95.9% of 5,868 Porsche 911 Carrera MOT tests pass.
The 911 Carrera has a pass rate of 95.9%, a little higher than the average across all Porsche models (91.8%).
The Porsche 911 Carrera passes its MOT 95.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Porsche 911 Carrera?
This is the average across every Porsche 911 Carrera in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Porsche’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 97.9% at 0–3 years to 94.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.9% | 996 | 13,675 miles |
| 3–6 years | 96.8% | 3,355 | 18,219 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.1% | 36 | 24,152 miles |
| 10–15 years | 89.8% | 403 | 53,813 miles |
| 15+ years | 94.0% | 1,078 | 80,159 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Porsche 911 Carrera
The most common reason the Porsche 911 Carrera fails its MOT is tyres — present in 48.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 48.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 29.8% | Too high |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Brakes | 9.2% | Excessively corroded |
| Identification of the vehicle | 5.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Visibility | 5.3% | Of an obligatory external mirror significantly affected by an obstruction |
| Suspension | 2.8% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.4% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Steering | 0.4% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Porsche 911 Carrera: what to check
These checks follow the Porsche 911 Carrera’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Porsche 911 Carrera comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 96.8% to 86.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 93.9% down to 63.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 48.9% of failed Porsche 911 Carrera MOTs. 3.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 1.6% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 29.8% of failed Porsche 911 Carrera MOTs. 4.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 14.9% of failed Porsche 911 Carrera MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 9.2% of failed Porsche 911 Carrera MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.8% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 5.7% of failed Porsche 911 Carrera MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Porsche service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Porsche models
- Porsche Panamera — 92.8% pass rate
- Porsche Taycan — 94.5% pass rate
- Porsche 944 — 80.5% pass rate
- Porsche 718 Cayman — 98.2% pass rate
- Porsche 928 — 82.3% pass rate
- Porsche 924 — 78.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Porsche 911 Carrera?
- 95.9% of Porsche 911 Carrera MOT tests pass, based on 5,868 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Porsche 911 Carrera?
- The most common reason the Porsche 911 Carrera fails its MOT is tyres — present in 48.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Porsche 911 Carrera?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Porsche 911 Carrera are tyres; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 3.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 1.6% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Porsche 911 Carrera?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; brakes; number plates and vin. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Porsche 911 Carrera's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Porsche service history guide for how to check and keep one.