Porsche 944
Registered from 1990 to 1992.
About this model
The Porsche 944 is a two-door sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Porsche from 1982 until 1991. A front-engine, rear-wheel drive model based on the platform of the 924, the 944 was available in coupé or cabriolet body styles, with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines. With over 163,000 cars produced, the 944 was the most successful sports car in Porsche's history until the introductions of the Boxster and 997 Carrera.
From the Wikipedia article Porsche 944, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1990 3.0 petrol. 43 of 292 tests failed, 15%.
Better than 84% of 1990 cars. The typical one fails 21%, across 86 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 63% | 27 |
| Suspension | 37% | 16 |
| Brakes | 35% | 15 |
| Visibility | 26% | 11 |
| Body and structure | 19% | 8 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 12% | 5 |
The defects inspectors cite
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 37% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 35% of its failures
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Exhaust and emissions — 12% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 63% of its failures
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Visibility — 26% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Body and structure — 19% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
When it starts failing
At 80–100k miles this one fails 11% of its inspections, against the 20% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 11% | 20% | 46 | |
| 100–120k miles | 15% | — | 46 | |
| 120–140k miles | 16% | — | 57 | |
| 140–160k miles | 13% | — | 38 |
187 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 120k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.