1993 Porsche 968 — MOT failures & pass rate
927 MOT tests on the 1993 Porsche 968 are in this dataset, and 87.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.4% of the time, so this is 10.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.8% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 33 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.5% versus 9.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 18.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.5% in 2021 to 9.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 82 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.3% | 49 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 27 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 17 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 27 |
| 3 | Wipers | 24 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 21 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 19 |
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 | 18.9% | 175 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 169 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.2% | 141 |
| 4 | Tyres | 10.7% | 99 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.0% | 56 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.7% | 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 | 31 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 58 | 3.5% |
| 60-90k | 191 | 11.5% |
| 90-120k | 257 | 11.7% |
| 120-150k | 255 | 13.7% |
| 150k+ | 135 | 21.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 183 | 11.5% |
| 2022 | 198 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 179 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 191 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 176 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 1993 968
On a 1993 968, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.3% 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.
- Suspension (3.2% 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 1993 Porsche 968s pass their MOT?
87.0% of the 927 1993 Porsche 968 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Porsche 968?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by brakes (5.3%).
Does the 1993 968 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 927 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.