1984 Porsche 944 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 562 MOT tests, the 1984 Porsche 944 recorded a 78.3% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 15.4% of the time, so this is 6.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.4%) and brakes (10.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, service brake performance and headlamp aim — washers alone was recorded 49 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 18.5% versus 24.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 24.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 64 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 58 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.3% | 52 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.6% | 37 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 30 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 49 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 48 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 4 | Wheel bearings | 26 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 17 |
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 | 24.6% | 138 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.2% | 136 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.5% | 76 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.8% | 72 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.8% | 61 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 53 |
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 | 166 | 24.1% |
| 30-60k | 140 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 201 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 54 | 18.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 134 | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 141 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 132 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 105 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 50 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 1984 944
On a 1984 944, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.3% 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.
- Visibility (9.3% 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 1984 Porsche 944s pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 562 1984 Porsche 944 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1984 Porsche 944?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by brakes (10.3%).
Does the 1984 944 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 562 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.