2003 Porsche 911 · 9,680 MOT tests
2003 Porsche 911 reliability
2003 Porsche 911s fail 18.3% of first MOT tests, 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 25 911 years (9,680 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Porsche 911s: 10.4%)
- 18.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche 911s: 10.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 54% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 76,057
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,680
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Strong point: suspension, 84% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Porsche 911
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.6%
- Brakes4.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%
- Body, chassis and structure3.2%
- Suspension2.3%
- Tyres2.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 2.76%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.04%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.68%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.51%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.02%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 0.95%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (10.32%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.24%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.16%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (3.58%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (3.34%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (2.29%)
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 2003 Porsche 911 reliable?
2003 Porsche 911s fail 18.3% of first MOT tests, 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 25 911 years (9,680 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Porsche 911 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (2.76% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (2.04% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (1.68% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Porsche 911 have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Porsche 911 shows 76,057 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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