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

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?

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?

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.

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

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 (1980)

172 real MOT outcomes analysed • 25% first-time pass rate

1980 Porsche 928

CarHunch analysed 172 real MOT records for the 1980 Porsche 928. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 55% below UK average

25%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

103,106

typical mileage

77,414–127,239 middle half

5.2%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.66

avg MOT failures per car

over 2.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1980 Porsche 928

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

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

Inspection

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1980 Porsche 928 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.

77,414

low mileage

103,106

typical

127,239

high mileage

Half of all 1980 Porsche 928 vehicles fall between 77,414 and 127,239 miles.

1980 Porsche 928 — Still on the Road

13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 72% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

2.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.66

Avg failures per vehicle

2.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1980 Porsche 928

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

57.4%

Oil leak
32.1%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
26%

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
24.7%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
24%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
23.6%

Oil leak, but not excessive
18.6%

Fuel pipe/s corroded
16.6%

Horn not working

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Porsche 928?

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