1989 Porsche 911 (first used 1989) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 85.8% of Porsche 911s first used in 1989 passed their MOT first time, against 73.4% for all cars first used in 1989.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Porsche 911s first used in 1989 (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
85.8%
of 635 first tests; all cars first used in 1989: 73.4%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,897
first tests, 2023–2025; 635 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
71.2%
of 635 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
84,500
middle half: 49,500–115,500 miles; all cars first used in 1989: 90,000

How the 1989 Porsche 911 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 911s first used in 1989 against all cars first used in 1989 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 911 figure was 12.4 points higher.

1989 911All cars first used in 1989
60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1989, test year 2021: 68.1%All cars first used in 1989, test year 2022: 70.4%All cars first used in 1989, test year 2023: 71.7%All cars first used in 1989, test year 2024: 72.5%All cars first used in 1989, test year 2025: 73.4%1989 911, test year 2021: 83.6%1989 911, test year 2022: 83.3%1989 911, test year 2023: 85.9%1989 911, test year 2024: 86.9%1989 911, test year 2025: 85.8%85.8%73.4%
View this chart as a table
Test year1989 911All cars first used 1989911 first tests
202183.6%68.1%602
202283.3%70.4%633
202385.9%71.7%638
202486.9%72.5%624
202585.8%73.4%635

Common 1989 Porsche 911 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1989 911s, as a share of all 1,897 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive6.8%129
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge3.9%74
Wheel bearings: has slight play3.0%57

Questions about the 1989 Porsche 911 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1989 Porsche 911?

In 2025, 85.8% of 911s first used in 1989 passed their MOT first time, against 73.4% for all cars first used in 1989. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

How often does a 1989 Porsche 911 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 14.2% of first tests on 911s first used in 1989 did not pass first time: 12.0% failed, and a further 2.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 262 of 1,897 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1989 Porsche 911 MOT advisories?

“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 6.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (3.9%) and “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (3.0%).

Is a 1989 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 83.6% in 2021 to 85.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1989

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

1989 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1989 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 1989 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1989 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1989 Ford Escort MOT statistics

How the 1989 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. “1989 911” means a Porsche 911 whose date of first use falls in 1989 (F and G 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 1989, 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.