1995 Porsche 911 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1995 Porsche 911 passed 89.7% of its 3,359 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (19.8% fail rate), the 1995 911 comes out 9.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 6.1% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 63 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.8% in the 0-30k band and 13.4% in the 150k+ band, a 5.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 14.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.7% in 2021 to 9.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 206 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 83 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 74 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 50 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.2% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 59 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 58 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 45 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 41 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 40 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 14.3% | 479 |
| 2 | Tyres | 9.4% | 317 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 276 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.1% | 271 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 129 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.4% | 79 |
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 | 270 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 661 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,052 | 10.2% |
| 90-120k | 906 | 11.5% |
| 120-150k | 335 | 12.5% |
| 150k+ | 134 | 13.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 649 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 694 | 10.4% |
| 2023 | 681 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 680 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 655 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 1995 911
On a 1995 911, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (2.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1995 Porsche 911s pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 3,359 1995 Porsche 911 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Porsche 911?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 1995 911 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,359 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.