1988 Porsche 911 (first used 1988) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 85.7% of Porsche 911s first used in 1988 passed their MOT first time, against 73.8% for all cars first used in 1988.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Porsche 911s first used in 1988 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
85.7%
of 519 first tests; all cars first used in 1988: 73.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,524
first tests, 2023–2025; 519 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
70.1%
of 519 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
93,500
middle half: 65,500–120,500 miles; all cars first used in 1988: 88,000

How the 1988 Porsche 911 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 911s first used in 1988 against all cars first used in 1988 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 911 figure was 11.9 points higher.

1988 911All cars first used in 1988
60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1988, test year 2021: 67.6%All cars first used in 1988, test year 2022: 69.7%All cars first used in 1988, test year 2023: 71%All cars first used in 1988, test year 2024: 72.3%All cars first used in 1988, test year 2025: 73.8%1988 911, test year 2023: 85.1%1988 911, test year 2024: 84.6%1988 911, test year 2025: 85.7%85.7%73.8%
View this chart as a table
Test year1988 911All cars first used 1988911 first tests
2021fewer than 500 tests67.6%473
2022fewer than 500 tests69.7%499
202385.1%71.0%504
202484.6%72.3%501
202585.7%73.8%519

Common 1988 Porsche 911 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1988 911s, as a share of all 1,524 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive5.9%90
Wheel bearings: has slight play4.3%65
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge3.5%54

Questions about the 1988 Porsche 911 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1988 Porsche 911?

In 2025, 85.7% of 911s first used in 1988 passed their MOT first time, against 73.8% for all cars first used in 1988. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

How often does a 1988 Porsche 911 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 14.3% of first tests on 911s first used in 1988 did not pass first time: 11.8% failed, and a further 2.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 226 of 1,524 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1988 Porsche 911 MOT advisories?

“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 5.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (4.3%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (3.5%).

Is a 1988 Porsche 911 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.1% in 2023 to 85.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1988

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

1988 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1988 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1988 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 1988 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1988 Ford Escort MOT statistics

How the 1988 Porsche 911 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “1988 911” means a Porsche 911 whose date of first use falls in 1988 (E and F plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 1988, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.