1991 Porsche 944 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,651 MOT tests on the 1991 Porsche 944 are in this dataset, and 82.9% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (18.7% fail rate), the 1991 944 comes out 1.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.8% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.2% in the 0-30k band and 19.7% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.3% in 2021 to 13.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 179 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.5% | 107 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.4% | 89 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.6% | 76 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 43 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 24 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Washers | 62 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 52 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 51 |
| 5 | Wipers | 46 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 44 |
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 | 19.5% | 322 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 253 |
| 3 | Tyres | 10.3% | 170 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 158 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 105 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 103 |
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 | 38 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 113 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 328 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 422 | 15.4% |
| 120-150k | 445 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 305 | 19.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 362 | 19.3% |
| 2022 | 342 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 332 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 311 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 304 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 1991 944
On a 1991 944, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.5% 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 (5.4% 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 1991 Porsche 944s pass their MOT?
82.9% of the 1,651 1991 Porsche 944 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Porsche 944?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by brakes (6.5%).
Does the 1991 944 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,651 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.