1990 · 34 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1990 Porsche 911 MOT pass rate and common faults

667 MOT tests in 2024. 88.8% passed first time, compared with 72.0% for all cars the same age.

123Well above average
Passed first time88.8%
Failed or needed repairs11.2%
Typical mileage at test99,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 667 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: too low1.5%
  2. Position lamp: not working1.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: too high1.0%
  4. Rear fog lamp: not working1.0%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
  6. Washers: not working0.9%
  7. Stop lamp: not working0.7%
  8. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
  10. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics13.2%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.2%
  3. Suspension1.6%
  4. Emissions & leaks1.5%
  5. Body & chassis1.0%
  6. Brakes1.0%
  7. Steering0.7%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.7%
  4. Flexible brake hoses: ferrule excessively corroded2.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: too low. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All 911 years1991 911 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 Porsche 911?

In 2024, 88.8% of 1990 Porsche 911 cars passed their MOT first time, across 667 tests. The average for all 34-year-old cars was 72.0%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1990 Porsche 911?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: too low; position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: too high. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1990 Porsche 911 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 123, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).