Used car guide

1997 Porsche 911: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Porsche 911 first registered in 1997: we looked at the 707 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

707MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2025
88%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
2,600typical miles a year
12%had oil and fluid leaks flagged

Common 1997 Porsche 911 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Porsche 911 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    9% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    9% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    8% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Porsche 911

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Porsche 911?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Porsche 911 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023101Tyres 6%
20222,573Tyres 11%
20211,691Tyres 12%
20201,508Tyres 14%
20192,302Tyres 16%
20182,149Tyres 14%
20171,886Tyres 14%
20161,708Tyres 15%
20151,740Tyres 15%
20141,533Tyres 13%
20131,279Tyres 13%
20121,545Tyres 14%
20111,310Tyres 13%
20101,731Tyres 15%
20091,474Brakes 13%
20081,813Tyres 15%
20072,429Tyres 15%
20062,704Brakes 18%
20052,750Brakes 20%
20042,435Brakes 19%
20032,534Brakes 20%
20022,347Brakes 23%
20011,465Brakes 23%
2000912Brakes 23%
19991,163Brakes 23%
1998969Brakes 21%
1996946Oil and fluid leaks 11%
1995635Oil and fluid leaks 13%
1994499Oil and fluid leaks 13%
1993261Oil and fluid leaks 12%
1992198Oil and fluid leaks 10%
1991294Oil and fluid leaks 13%
1990670Oil and fluid leaks 14%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests
1968–Too few tests
1967–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Porsche 911 cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score