Porsche 928 S (1982)

148 real MOT outcomes analysed • 47.2% first-time pass rate

1982 Porsche 928 S

CarHunch analysed 148 real MOT records for the 1982 Porsche 928 S. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1982 Porsche 928 S has a first-time pass rate of just 47.2%, well below the UK average of 80%, making it a significantly less reliable proposition than most vehicles on the road. At 14.2% of cars having suffered a dangerous defect, these cars demand serious mechanical scrutiny before purchase.

These 928 S examples average around 101,000 miles, which is reasonable for a 40-year-old classic, but the 1.56 failures and 6.8 advisories per vehicle reveal persistent wear across multiple systems—suspension, cooling, and electrical faults crop up regularly. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection done by a Porsche specialist who knows the 928's common weaknesses, particularly its notorious cooling system and transmission issues.

Below average reliability 32.8% below UK average
47.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
101,007
typical mileage
80,742–124,980 middle half
14.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.56
avg MOT failures per car
over 5.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Porsche 928 S

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 928 S

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Porsche 928 S 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.

80,742
low mileage
101,007
typical
124,980
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Porsche 928 S vehicles fall between 80,742 and 124,980 miles.

1982 Porsche 928 S — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (43% of peak).

28 12 2014 2023

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.

MOT History Averages

5.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.56
Avg failures per vehicle
6.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Porsche 928 S?

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

UK

Other model years — Porsche 928 S:

1980 1981 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991