1983 Porsche 924 — MOT failures & pass rate
332 MOT tests on the 1983 Porsche 924 are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 19.3% of the time, so this is 5.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and visibility (10.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, non catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — washers alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.7% once past 60-90k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 26.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.0% in 2024, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 45 |
| 2 | Visibility | 10.8% | 36 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 32 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 29 |
| 5 | Suspension | 6.3% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 36 |
| 2 | Non catalyst emissions | 27 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 18 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 12 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 12 |
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 | 26.8% | 89 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.0% | 83 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 45 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.7% | 42 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 39 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.4% | 28 |
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 | 102 | 25.5% |
| 30-60k | 89 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 30.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 102 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 82 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 31 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 1983 924
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (10.8% 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.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
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 1983 Porsche 924s pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 332 1983 Porsche 924 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1983 Porsche 924?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by visibility (10.8%).
Does the 1983 924 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.5% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 332 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.