2001 Porsche 911 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,454 MOT tests on the 2001 Porsche 911 are in this dataset, and 85.5% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 8.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests against 3.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 317 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.0% in the 0-30k band and 24.1% in the 150k+ band, a 20.1-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.8% in 2021 to 13.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 707 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.7% | 311 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.1% | 264 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 263 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 247 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 213 |
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 | 317 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 277 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 242 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 239 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 223 |
| 6 | Joints | 165 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 24.0% | 2,026 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.0% | 1,272 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.5% | 1,053 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 782 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 752 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 444 |
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 | 228 | 4.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,345 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,135 | 14.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,670 | 15.4% |
| 120-150k | 761 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 307 | 24.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,849 | 15.8% |
| 2022 | 1,752 | 15.3% |
| 2023 | 1,681 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 1,593 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 1,579 | 13.1% |
What to check before buying a 2001 911
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.7% 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.
- Suspension (3.1% 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.
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 2001 Porsche 911s pass their MOT?
85.5% of the 8,454 2001 Porsche 911 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Porsche 911?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by brakes (3.7%).
Does the 2001 911 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.0% in the 0-30k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,454 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.