Porsche Cayenne common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Porsche Cayenne?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Steering column, rear axle and engine recalls

  Cars registered 2018–2025 · Some cars

  Recalls covered steering column screws not to specification, rear axle geometry and trailing arm lock nuts, the brake wear display, and possible cracking of the engine cylinder bores.

  At the viewing: Ask a Porsche centre to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Porsche Cayenne (2018 on) reliability

• Kerbed wheels and worn rear seats

  Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines

  Town use leaves scuffed bodywork and kerbed alloys, and heavy loads wear the rear seats.

  At the viewing: Look over the wheels, corners and rear seats.

  Source: What Car?: used Porsche Cayenne (2018 on) reliability

Common Porsche Cayenne MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

• Seat belts

  up to 3.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

• Sub-frame bushes

  up to 6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2009.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm

  up to 2.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Porsche Cayenne MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Porsche Cayenne did best (82% passed first time, 22 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (94%, 5 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Porsche Cayenne

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

1. Have all the recalls been done, including the cylinder bore check?
2. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the Porsche Cayenne as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Porsche Cayenne as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Porsche Cayenne as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?