Porsche 911 (1987)
1987 Porsche 911
CarHunch analysed 858 real MOT records for the 1987 Porsche 911. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Porsche 911 passes its MOT first time in just 69.8% of cases, notably below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these nearly 40-year-old cars demand considerably more attention than typical vehicles of any era. With 12.6% having experienced a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should expect that a meaningful minority will have serious issues lurking.
These 911s are running at a sensible 95,800 miles median—reasonable for their age—but they're accumulating an average of 2.45 failures and 7.3 advisories per test, indicating that corrosion, worn components, and ageing systems are the norm rather than the exception. If you're serious about one, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on rust, brakes, and electrical gremlins, and accept that annual MOT visits will likely involve repair work, not just a pass certificate.
What to check before buying a 1987 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 (100%) | 854 | 69.7% | 2.46 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 86.7% | 0.75 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 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 1987 Porsche 911 vehicles fall between 69,081 and 123,068 miles.
1987 Porsche 911 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 360 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the 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 — 1987 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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35.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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30.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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29.1%
Oil leak
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25.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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25.7%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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23.8%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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18.6%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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18.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Porsche 911?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.