Porsche 911 (1982)
1982 Porsche 911
CarHunch analysed 687 real MOT records for the 1982 Porsche 911. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
A 1982 Porsche 911 passes its MOT first time just 60% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals real reliability challenges you should expect with these nearly 42-year-old machines. The 12.1% rate of dangerous defects is manageable and not a deal-breaker, but combined with an average of 1.9 failures per test, this is a car that demands serious mechanical attention.
These 911s average 110,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're averaging 5.3 advisories per test—well above what you'd see in modern vehicles—suggesting wear and age are catching up across multiple systems. Before buying, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche specialist, not a general mechanic, because these cars fail on specific issues that need expert diagnosis and the failures are consistent enough to be predictable.
What to check before buying a 1982 Porsche 911
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Porsche 911
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 680 | 59.6% | 1.91 |
| Other (1%) | 6 | 91.7% | 0.5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Porsche 911 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1982 Porsche 911 vehicles fall between 80,329 and 137,278 miles.
1982 Porsche 911 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 66 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Porsche 911
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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34.1%
Oil leak
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30.2%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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25.9%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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22.5%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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22.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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21.6%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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21.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.6%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Porsche 911?
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