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Porsche Cayenne MOT pass rate and common problems

91.0% of 72,797 Porsche Cayenne MOT tests pass.

The Cayenne's pass rate of 91.0% is in line with the average across all Porsche models, at 91.8%.

The Porsche Cayenne passes its MOT 91.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.

Own this Porsche Cayenne?

This is the average across every Porsche Cayenne 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 declines noticeably with age, from 95.5% at 0–3 years to 83.4% at 15+ years.

Pass rate by vehicle age band0–3 years95.5%3–6 years95.7%6–10 years92.0%10–15 years89.1%15+ years83.4%
Porsche Cayenne pass rate and average mileage by vehicle age band
Vehicle agePass rateTestsAverage mileage
0–3 years95.5%2,52826,007 miles
3–6 years95.7%19,13938,416 miles
6–10 years92.0%22,17571,684 miles
10–15 years89.1%17,771102,064 miles
15+ years83.4%11,184119,582 miles

Common MOT failure reasons for the Porsche Cayenne

The most common reason the Porsche Cayenne fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 35.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".

Top MOT failure categories for the Porsche Cayenne
CategoryShare of failed testsExample
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment35.7%Not working
Tyres35.2%Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Brakes19.9%Less than 1.5 mm thick
Suspension18.6%Fractured or broken
Visibility12.9%Does not clear the windscreen effectively
Noise, emissions and leaks9.4%Inoperative or indicates a malfunction
Identification of the vehicle6.0%Does not conform to the specified requirements
Body, chassis, structure4.3%Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems3.6%Warning lamp indicates a fault
Road Wheels3.3%Fixing missing

Buying a used Porsche Cayenne: what to check

These checks follow the Porsche Cayenne’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 Cayenne comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 89.1% to 83.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.

By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 94.2% down to 90.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.

  1. 1. Lights and electrics

    Recorded in 35.7% of failed Porsche Cayenne MOTs. 16.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.6% 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.

  2. 2. Tyres

    Recorded in 35.2% of failed Porsche Cayenne 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.

  3. 3. Brakes

    Recorded in 19.9% of failed Porsche Cayenne MOTs. 6.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.7% at 0–3 years.

    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.

  4. 4. Suspension

    Recorded in 18.6% of failed Porsche Cayenne MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.

    Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.

  5. 5. Windscreen and wipers

    Recorded in 12.9% of failed Porsche Cayenne MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.

    Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Porsche Cayenne?
91.0% of Porsche Cayenne MOT tests pass, based on 72,797 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
What are the most common MOT failures for the Porsche Cayenne?
The most common reason the Porsche Cayenne fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 35.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
What are the common problems with the Porsche Cayenne?
Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Porsche Cayenne are lights and electrics; tyres; brakes. 16.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
What should I check when buying a used Porsche Cayenne?
Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; suspension; windscreen and wipers. 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 Cayenne'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.