2013 Porsche 911 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,604 MOT tests on the 2013 Porsche 911 are in this dataset, and 94.9% of them passed. That is 9.6 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 14.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.0%) and lighting & signalling (1.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and registration plates — headlamp aim alone was recorded 66 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 3.2% in the 0-30k band and 11.1% in the 90-120k band, a 8.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.0% | 133 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 78 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.7% | 44 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 44 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 38 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 37 |
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 | 66 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 59 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 47 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 44 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 36 |
| 6 | Washers | 29 |
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% | 890 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.4% | 425 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.9% | 188 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 123 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 116 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 50 |
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 | 2,060 | 3.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,478 | 5.2% |
| 60-90k | 921 | 8.1% |
| 90-120k | 117 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,368 | 5.0% |
| 2022 | 1,325 | 4.4% |
| 2023 | 1,330 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 1,300 | 6.0% |
| 2025 | 1,281 | 4.1% |
What to check before buying a 2013 911
On a 2013 911, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.7% 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 2013 Porsche 911s pass their MOT?
94.9% of the 6,604 2013 Porsche 911 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Porsche 911?
Tyres, recorded in 2.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2013 911 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.2% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,604 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.