1987 Porsche 944 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,211 MOT tests on the 1987 Porsche 944 are in this dataset, and 79.0% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 16.4% of the time, so this is 4.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.6%) and brakes (8.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.6% in the 30-60k band and 22.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.7% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.9% | 108 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.9% | 96 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 87 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 82 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 82 |
| 3 | Washers | 78 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 58 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 45 |
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 | 23.5% | 285 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.5% | 260 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 204 |
| 4 | Tyres | 10.2% | 124 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 110 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 98 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 81 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 136 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 317 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 342 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 313 | 22.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 249 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 264 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 241 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 242 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 215 | 18.1% |
What to check before buying a 1987 944
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Brakes (8.9% 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.
- Suspension (7.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 1987 Porsche 944s pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 1,211 1987 Porsche 944 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Porsche 944?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by brakes (8.9%).
Does the 1987 944 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 30-60k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,211 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.