2003 Porsche 911 (first used 2003) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 81.0% of Porsche 911s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 7,861 911 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and noise, emissions and leaks.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Porsche 911s first used in 2003 (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
81.0%
of 2,559 first tests; all cars first used in 2003: 58.7%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
7,861
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,559 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
54.3%
of 2,559 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
77,500
middle half: 58,500–100,500 miles; all cars first used in 2003: 103,000

How the 2003 Porsche 911 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 911s first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 911 figure was 22.3 points higher.

2003 911All cars first used in 2003
50%60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2003, test year 2021: 54%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2022: 55.7%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2023: 56.7%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2024: 57.2%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2025: 58.7%2003 911, test year 2021: 79.6%2003 911, test year 2022: 81.7%2003 911, test year 2023: 79.8%2003 911, test year 2024: 80.3%2003 911, test year 2025: 81%81%58.7%
View this chart as a table
Test year2003 911All cars first used 2003911 first tests
202179.6%54.0%2,749
202281.7%55.7%2,670
202379.8%56.7%2,692
202480.3%57.2%2,610
202581.0%58.7%2,559

Common 2003 Porsche 911 MOT failures

Share of the 1,544 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment51.0%
Brakes22.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks20.5%
Body, chassis, structure16.8%
Suspension14.0%
Tyres13.5%
Visibility11.1%
Steering2.8%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working17.2%266
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits12.8%198
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.2%157
Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt10.0%154
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam6.1%94

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2003 Porsche 911 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.

Common 2003 Porsche 911 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 911s, as a share of all 7,861 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material12.3%969
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.5%669
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.5%665
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.5%356
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive4.4%347

Questions about the 2003 Porsche 911 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Porsche 911?

In 2025, 81.0% of 911s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2003 911 most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 51.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (22.2%) and noise, emissions and leaks (20.5%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (17.2%).

How often does a 2003 Porsche 911 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 19.0% of first tests on 911s first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 16.3% failed, and a further 2.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,544 of 7,861 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2003 Porsche 911 MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 12.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.5%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.5%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (4.4%).

Is a 2003 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 79.6% in 2021 to 81.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2003

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

2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics

How the 2003 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. “2003 911” means a Porsche 911 whose date of first use falls in 2003 (52, 03 and 53 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 2003, 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.