Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1980 Porsche 928 S?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1980 Porsche 928 S?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1980 Porsche 928 S?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1980 Porsche 928 S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 137 vehicles, the 1980 Porsche 928 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1980 Porsche 928 S?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Porsche 928 S (1980)

137 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.1% first-time pass rate

1980 Porsche 928 S

CarHunch analysed 137 real MOT records for the 1980 Porsche 928 S. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1980 Porsche 928 S falls slightly short of the UK average with a 75.1% first-time pass rate against the national 80%, suggesting these nearly 45-year-old cars need more attention to stay roadworthy. Dangerous defects are rare at just 3.6%, so while reliability isn't stellar, safety-critical failures aren't a widespread concern for this cohort.

These 928 S examples have covered a modest 88,200 miles on average—reasonable for their age—yet still rack up an average of 1.7 advisories per test, pointing to gradual wear in systems like suspension, lighting, and trim rather than catastrophic failure. Before purchasing, budget for incremental repairs and have any prospect inspected by a Porsche specialist, as the middling pass rate suggests owner neglect is common on survivors of this era.

We have limited data for the 1980 Porsche 928 S — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

75.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

3.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.52

Over 2.8 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

88k

Middle half: 58k–107k

For context

These stats describe 137 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 137 Porsche 928 S cars.

Before you buy a 1980 Porsche 928 S

Based on MOT data from 137 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 1980 Porsche 928 S vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

88,208

typical

58,022

low mileage

107,258

high mileage

Half of all 1980 Porsche 928 S vehicles fall between 58,022 and 107,258 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 58,022 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 58,022–107,258 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1980 Porsche 928 Ss sit.

⚠ Over 144,798 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1980 Porsche 928 S — Still on the Road

Most 1980 Porsche 928 Ss are still being driven.

10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 77% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2019.

MOT History Averages

2.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.52

Avg failures per vehicle

1.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Porsche 928 S: All 928 S years → Which year to buy? →

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991

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Average reliability — agree?