Porsche 944 S (1988)
1988 Porsche 944 S
CarHunch analysed 110 real MOT records for the 1988 Porsche 944 S. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Porsche 944 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 12.3%, dramatically below the UK average of 80%, which reflects the real challenges of keeping a 36-year-old sports car roadworthy. With only 2.7% of vehicles ever flagged for dangerous defects, safety issues aren't the primary concern—instead, expect multiple visits to sort out failures across various systems.
These cars average around 123,000 miles on the clock, which is reasonable for their age, but the low pass rate combined with 0.18 failures and 0.4 advisories per vehicle tells you that age-related wear is widespread and persistent. If you're considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche specialist and plan for incremental repairs rather than a quick MOT pass—these cars reward dedicated maintenance from someone who knows them.
What to check before buying a 1988 Porsche 944 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 944 S
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 (95%) | 105 | 9.1% | 0.15 |
| Other (5%) | 5 | 80.4% | 0.8 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Porsche 944 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.
Half of all 1988 Porsche 944 S vehicles fall between 101,260 and 149,865 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Porsche 944 S?
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