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Porsche 924 (1981)

1,366 real MOT outcomes analysed • 24.6% first-time pass rate

1981 Porsche 924

CarHunch analysed 1,366 real MOT records for the 1981 Porsche 924. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 55.4% below UK average
24.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
50,764
typical mileage
25,058–79,533 middle half
7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.8
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1981 Porsche 924

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 924

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%) 1,365 24.5% 0.8
Other (0%) 1 66.7% 1

Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 Porsche 924 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.

25,058
low mileage
50,764
typical
79,533
high mileage

Half of all 1981 Porsche 924 vehicles fall between 25,058 and 79,533 miles.

1981 Porsche 924 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 32 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% of peak).

117 32 2014 2025

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

3.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.8
Avg failures per vehicle
2.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 Porsche 924

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 36.3%
    Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
  • 32.7%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 29.7%
    Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
  • 27.3%
    Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
  • 25.8%
    Horn not working
  • 24.2%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 21.9%
    Oil leak
  • 14.7%
    Offside Rear fog lamp not working

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Porsche 924?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Porsche 924:

1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988