1998 Porsche 911 · 4,233 MOT tests
1998 Porsche 911 reliability
1998 Porsche 911s fail 19.7% of first MOT tests, 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 911 years (4,233 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 1998 Porsche 911?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche 911s: 10.4%)
- 19.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche 911s: 10.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 46% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 96,838
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,233
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- 1999 cars: 49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 84% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Porsche 911
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.7%
- Brakes5.6%
- Suspension4.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.7%
- Tyres2.6%
- Body, chassis and structure1.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.7%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Position lamp not working 1.35%
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 1.23%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Horn not working 1.2%
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.18%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.18%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.21%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.78%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.31%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (6.19%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (3.38%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (3.09%)
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 1998 Porsche 911 reliable?
1998 Porsche 911s fail 19.7% of first MOT tests, 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 911 years (4,233 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Porsche 911 MOT?
Most often lambda reading outside specified limits (1.7% of tests), position lamp not working (1.35% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (1.23% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Porsche 911 have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Porsche 911 shows 96,838 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
Check a 1998 Porsche 911 free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.