Porsche Carrera MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 42 model years and 1,604 tests, the Porsche Carrera passes its MOT 85.8% of the time. That is 9.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.0%. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests against 3.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 89 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Carrera fails 8.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 14.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Carrera model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 51 | 74.5% | 25.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1985 | 89 | 86.5% | 13.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 42 | 81.0% | 19.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 115 | 91.3% | 8.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1989 | 94 | 87.2% | 12.8% | Brakes |
| 1994 | 34 | 88.2% | 11.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 31 | 93.5% | 6.5% | Visibility |
| 1998 | 86 | 83.7% | 16.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 98 | 82.7% | 17.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 85 | 85.9% | 14.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2001 | 93 | 83.9% | 16.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 114 | 90.3% | 9.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 125 | 76.8% | 23.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 36 | 86.1% | 13.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 99 | 85.9% | 14.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 59 | 78.0% | 22.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 53 | 90.6% | 9.4% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2010 | 38 | 89.5% | 10.5% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 156 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.0% | 49 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 47 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.8% | 45 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 33 |
| 7 | Tyres | 2.1% | 33 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.0% | 16 |
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 | 89 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 50 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 39 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 36 |
| 5 | Joints | 33 |
| 6 | Washers | 32 |
| 7 | Headlamp | 30 |
| 8 | Registration plates | 23 |
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 | 14.5% | 233 |
| 2 | Tyres | 12.2% | 196 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 169 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 140 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 79 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.4% | 54 |
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 | 162 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 283 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 522 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 428 | 17.5% |
| 120-150k | 154 | 15.6% |
| 150k+ | 55 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 290 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 323 | 14.2% |
| 2023 | 326 | 14.4% |
| 2024 | 334 | 13.8% |
| 2025 | 331 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a Porsche Carrera
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.0% 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.
- Visibility (2.9% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Porsche Carrera?
85.8% of the 1,604 Porsche Carrera MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.2% fail rate, across model years 1980–2021.
What does the Porsche Carrera most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests, then suspension (3.0%).
How much does mileage affect Carrera MOT results?
Fail rates run at 8.0% for cars in the 0-30k band and 10.9% for 150k+, a 2.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,604 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.