2010 Porsche 911 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,445 MOT tests on the 2010 Porsche 911 are in this dataset, and 92.8% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (19.2% fail rate), the 2010 911 comes out 12.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.6%) and tyres (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 163 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 10.3% once past 120-150k — 3.1× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 216 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.2% | 184 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 114 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.2% | 101 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.1% | 89 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.9% | 78 |
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 | 163 |
| 2 | Joints | 125 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 67 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 63 |
| 5 | Wipers | 59 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 47 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 13.5% | 1,139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.6% | 894 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 538 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.9% | 329 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 188 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 159 |
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 | 1,879 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,159 | 7.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,006 | 10.3% |
| 90-120k | 348 | 11.8% |
| 120-150k | 39 | 10.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,698 | 6.8% |
| 2022 | 1,712 | 7.1% |
| 2023 | 1,702 | 6.8% |
| 2024 | 1,656 | 8.0% |
| 2025 | 1,677 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 911
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 2.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Body, structure & corrosion (1.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2010 Porsche 911s pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 8,445 2010 Porsche 911 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Porsche 911?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.6% of tests, followed by tyres (2.2%).
Does the 2010 911 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 10.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,445 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.