1997 Porsche 911 · 1,067 MOT tests
1997 Porsche 911 reliability
1997 Porsche 911s fail 14.3% of first MOT tests, 57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 25 911 years (1,067 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Porsche 911s: 10.4%)
- 14.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche 911s: 10.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 57% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 73,375
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,067
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1996 cars: 65% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does worse)
- 1998 cars: 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- Strong point: brakes, 88% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Porsche 911
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.2%
- Suspension1.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.6%
- Brakes1.2%
- Tyres1.2%
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 2.06%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rear fog lamp not working 1.78%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.41%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Position lamp not working 1.22%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.22%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Horn not working 0.84%
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.69%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.53%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (5.53%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (2.53%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (1.97%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (1.87%)
Other years
Every Porsche 911 year
The full picture: Porsche 911 reliability. Before you pay for any Porsche 911, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1997 Porsche 911 reliable?
1997 Porsche 911s fail 14.3% of first MOT tests, 57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 25 911 years (1,067 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Porsche 911 MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (2.06% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (1.78% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (1.41% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Porsche 911 have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Porsche 911 shows 73,375 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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