1986 Porsche 924 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,060 MOT tests on the 1986 Porsche 924 are in this dataset, and 79.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 20.4%, so the 1986 924 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.6%) and visibility (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and service brake performance — washers alone was recorded 80 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.1% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 123 |
| 2 | Visibility | 8.7% | 92 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 81 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.1% | 54 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 51 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 80 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 36 |
| 5 | Wipers | 31 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 28 |
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 | 27.7% | 294 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 195 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 170 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.4% | 131 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.0% | 106 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 104 |
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 | 344 | 20.1% |
| 30-60k | 362 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 264 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 14.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 226 | 19.9% |
| 2022 | 222 | 19.4% |
| 2023 | 222 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 193 | 21.2% |
| 2025 | 197 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 1986 924
On a 1986 924, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (8.7% 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.
- Brakes (7.6% 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 1986 Porsche 924s pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 1,060 1986 Porsche 924 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1986 Porsche 924?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by visibility (8.7%).
Does the 1986 924 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.1% in the 0-30k band to 14.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,060 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.