2002 Porsche 911 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,253 MOT tests, the 2002 Porsche 911 recorded an 85.6% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.6% fail rate), the 2002 911 comes out 8.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.0% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 503 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.1% in the 0-30k band and 23.0% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 1,192 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.4% | 451 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 425 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.9% | 384 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 384 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.3% | 303 |
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 | 503 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 450 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 429 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 422 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 357 |
| 6 | Joints | 231 |
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 | 21.5% | 2,852 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.3% | 2,027 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 1,321 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 948 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 808 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 656 |
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 | 447 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,354 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 5,340 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,740 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,046 | 19.3% |
| 150k+ | 313 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,750 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 2,693 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 2,645 | 13.8% |
| 2024 | 2,618 | 15.0% |
| 2025 | 2,547 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 911
On a 2002 911, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.4% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (3.2% 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 2002 Porsche 911s pass their MOT?
85.6% of the 13,253 2002 Porsche 911 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Porsche 911?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by brakes (3.4%).
Does the 2002 911 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,253 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.