1982 Porsche 911 — MOT failures & pass rate
750 MOT tests on the 1982 Porsche 911 are in this dataset, and 87.7% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 14.1% of the time, so this is 1.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.3% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and service brake performance — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 35 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.8% in the 0-30k band and 17.0% in the 150k+ band, a 6.2-point spread.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.3% in 2021 to 10.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.4% | 33 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.7% | 28 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 13 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.6% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 35 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 34 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 27 |
| 4 | Washers | 25 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 15 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.9% | 59 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 55 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.8% | 51 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 42 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 16 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.3% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 83 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 66 | 4.5% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 7.9% |
| 90-120k | 171 | 15.8% |
| 120-150k | 201 | 12.4% |
| 150k+ | 100 | 17.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 204 | 12.3% |
| 2022 | 230 | 12.2% |
| 2023 | 130 | 12.3% |
| 2024 | 107 | 14.0% |
| 2025 | 79 | 10.1% |
What to check before buying a 1982 911
On a 1982 911, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Visibility (3.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1982 Porsche 911s pass their MOT?
87.7% of the 750 1982 Porsche 911 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Porsche 911?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by brakes (4.4%).
Does the 1982 911 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 750 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.