Porsche 911 Targa MOT pass rate and common problems
96.7% of 1,016 Porsche 911 Targa MOT tests pass.
The 911 Targa has a pass rate of 96.7%, a little higher than the average across all Porsche models (91.8%).
The Porsche 911 Targa passes its MOT 96.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Porsche 911 Targa?
This is the average across every Porsche 911 Targa 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 stays relatively stable with age: 96.5% at 0–3 years versus 97.4% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.5% | 514 | 10,334 miles |
| 3–6 years | 97.4% | 462 | 13,013 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (10) | 10 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 15+ years | too few tests (27) | 27 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Porsche 911 Targa
The most common reason the Porsche 911 Targa fails its MOT is tyres — present in 80.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 80.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Identification of the vehicle | 7.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.3% | Lens seriously defective |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.9% | Fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |
Buying a used Porsche 911 Targa: what to check
These checks follow the Porsche 911 Targa’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.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 80.5% of failed Porsche 911 Targa MOTs.
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. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 7.3% of failed Porsche 911 Targa MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 7.3% of failed Porsche 911 Targa MOTs.
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.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 4.9% of failed Porsche 911 Targa MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
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 718 Cayman — 98.2% pass rate
- Porsche 928 — 82.3% pass rate
- Porsche 924 — 78.1% pass rate
- Porsche Carrera — 87.0% pass rate
- Porsche 968 — 86.7% pass rate
- Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid — 96.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Porsche 911 Targa?
- 96.7% of Porsche 911 Targa MOT tests pass, based on 1,016 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Porsche 911 Targa?
- The most common reason the Porsche 911 Targa fails its MOT is tyres — present in 80.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Porsche 911 Targa?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Porsche 911 Targa are tyres; number plates and vin; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Porsche 911 Targa?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; number plates and vin; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion. 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 Targa'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.