2004 Porsche Cayenne S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 278 MOT tests, the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S recorded a 79.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 7.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.0% of all tests — 7.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp and position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 18 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 21.1% versus 14.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.4% in 2021 to 19.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 17 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 16 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.6% | 10 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.9% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 18 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 14 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 12 |
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 | 23.7% | 66 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.7% | 66 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 43 |
| 4 | Suspension | 14.8% | 41 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 23 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.5% | 18 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 47 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 79 | 19.0% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 59 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 61 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 52 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 36 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cayenne S
On a 2004 Cayenne S, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.1% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2004 Porsche Cayenne Ss pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 278 2004 Porsche Cayenne S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Porsche Cayenne S?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by brakes (6.1%).
Does the 2004 Cayenne S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 60-90k band to 21.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 278 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.