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Porsche 944 reliability by build year

Coverage 1982-19911 named generationCoupePETROL
At a glance

Porsche 944 built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Porsche 944 models built before 2000 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Porsche 944 by number plate

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Porsche 944 models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Porsche 944 models built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Porsche 944's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 944's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

944 Classic

Classic (1982-1991)

Excellent
PETROL

19.0% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,477 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Porsche 944 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Porsche 944 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,47719.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Porsche 944 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Porsche 944 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    16.2%
    Advisory: 432Fail: 7 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    8.8%
    Advisory: 313Fail: 22 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    8.8%
    Advisory: 312Fail: 9 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    7.4%
    Advisory: 208Fail: 46 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.3%
    Advisory: 345Fail: 18 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,477 MOT tests on 25+ year old Porsche 944 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Porsche 944 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Other23%
  2. Brakes + Fuel & oil21%
  3. Brakes + Suspension20%
  4. Body & structure + Brakes18%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 905 MOT tests on Porsche 944 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Porsche 944.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Porsche 944 name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar E-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 19.0% for the Porsche 944, both built before 2000.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    MG B GT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%

    Lower fail rate: 15.4%, against 19.0% for the Porsche 944, both built before 2000.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,331 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Jaguar XK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%

    No clear edge over the Porsche 944 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,434 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz CLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.8%

    No clear edge over the Porsche 944 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,725 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Porsche 944 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,477 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Porsche 944 ever sold: 2,477 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,477 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.