Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 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 1987 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 1987 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 1987 Porsche 928 S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 207 vehicles, the 1987 Porsche 928 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.8%, 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 1987 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 (1987)

207 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.8% first-time pass rate

1987 Porsche 928 S

CarHunch analysed 207 real MOT records for the 1987 Porsche 928 S. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

We have limited data for the 1987 Porsche 928 S — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

16.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.61

Over 10.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

117k

Middle half: 99k–146k

For context

These stats describe 207 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 207 Porsche 928 S cars.

Before you buy a 1987 Porsche 928 S

Based on MOT data from 207 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 16.9% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,329 Porsche 928 S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 27.7%

645

Red 18.9%

441

White 13.4%

311

Black 11.7%

272

Silver 10.2%

238

Grey 7.1%

166

Green 4%

Bronze 2.3%

Brown 1.6%

Gold 1.5%

Yellow 0.9%

Beige 0.8%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 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.

117,127

typical

98,618

low mileage

146,273

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Porsche 928 S vehicles fall between 98,618 and 146,273 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 98,618 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.

✓ 98,618–146,273 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1987 Porsche 928 Ss sit.

⚠ Over 197,468 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1987 Porsche 928 S — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 59% of 1987 Porsche 928 Ss are still active.

49 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 59% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

10.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.61

Avg failures per vehicle

12.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Average reliability — agree?