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Porsche Cayenne reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 214,893 MOT tests of cars first registered 2003–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
83.4%pass first time
+13.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 98%of cars
214,893MOT tests

Verdict

The Porsche Cayenne passes its MOT first time on 83.4% of tests, 13.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (70.2%). That puts it ahead of 98% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2015 Cayenne does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 96%).

Of its engines, the 4.1 Diesel does best (beats 99%) and the 3.0 Hybrid worst (beats 96%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, tyres, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Number plates1.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192090%89%86%84%82%79%75%73%72%
Porsche CayenneTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2003
Beats 98%
2004
Beats 97%
2005
Beats 97%
2006
Beats 98%
2007
Beats 98%
2008
Beats 99%
2009
Beats 98%
2010
Beats 99%
2011
Beats 99%
2012
Beats 99%
2013
Beats 99%
2014
Beats 99%
2015
Beats 98%
2016
Beats 96%
2017
Beats 94%
2018
Beats 95%
2019
Beats 99%
2020
Beats 99%
2021
Beats 99%
2022
Beats 99%
2023
Beats 92%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2009–201886,20783.7%Beats 98%A
4.5 Petrol2003–200622,49173.6%Beats 98%A
4.1 Diesel2013–201720,82587.2%Beats 99%A
3.0 Hybrid2015–202320,60489.5%Beats 96%A
4.8 Petrol2007–201418,04581.7%Beats 99%A
3.2 Petrol2004–200716,53370.7%Beats 96%A
3.0 Petrol2018–202214,38891.9%Beats 99%A
2.9 Petrol2018–20207,78192.5%Beats 99%A
3.6 Petrol2007–20175,47385.1%Beats 98%A
4.0 Petrol2018–20192,54694.1%Beats 100%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 5.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 5.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+6.7 ptsTyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.6 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.4 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+6.6 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 5.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 5.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+6.7 ptsTyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.6 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.4 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+6.6 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
5.4% vs 12.1%
Tyres
5.3% vs 6.9%
Brakes
2.9% vs 7.3%
Suspension
2.7% vs 9.2%
Visibility
2.6% vs 5.0%
Emissions & leaks
1.7% vs 3.2%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 1.1%
Body & structure
0.8% vs 3.5%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.4%
Steering
0.3% vs 2.0%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%91%89%85%82%78%75%73%
Porsche CayenneTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.5%3.7%0.9×
Headlight aim2.0%3.5%0.6×
Coil springs1.7%2.4%0.7×
Tyre tread depth1.6%2.9%0.6×
Windscreen wipers1.4%2.3%0.6×
Headlight bulbs & units1.2%2.3%0.5×
Windscreen washers1.0%2.2%0.5×
Brake pads1.0%2.2%0.4×
Engine warning light1.0%1.3%0.8×
Sidelights0.9%2.9%0.3×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged23.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements20.4
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened17.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements16.0
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen12.9
A tyre cords visible or damaged12.0
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction11.9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen10.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Porsche Cayenne1 engine91.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Hybrid1,06291.5%Beats 92%A
2022 Porsche Cayenne2 engines93.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Hybrid2,15192.9%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol1,18494.8%Beats 100%A
2021 Porsche Cayenne2 engines93.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Hybrid1,93793.1%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol1,54093.6%Beats 99%A
2020 Porsche Cayenne3 engines92.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Hybrid3,94691.9%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol2,15392.3%Beats 98%A
2.9 Petrol1,60192.9%Beats 99%A
2019 Porsche Cayenne4 engines92.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol6,81391.6%Beats 98%A
2.9 Petrol3,52693.3%Beats 100%A
3.0 Hybrid2,92292.8%Beats 99%A
4.0 Petrol1,35294.7%Beats 100%A
2018 Porsche Cayenne4 engines88.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel3,34684.5%Beats 75%B
3.0 Petrol2,69890.1%Beats 97%A
2.9 Petrol2,65491.1%Beats 99%A
4.0 Petrol1,19493.6%Beats 100%A
2017 Porsche Cayenne4 engines87.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.1 Diesel4,58187.9%Beats 97%A
3.0 Diesel3,19786.8%Beats 94%A
3.0 Hybrid2,75184.4%Beats 79%B
3.6 Petrol1,28290.2%Beats 98%A
2016 Porsche Cayenne4 engines86.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel12,28886.1%Beats 95%A
4.1 Diesel4,77187.1%Beats 97%A
3.0 Hybrid3,12086.3%Beats 96%A
3.6 Petrol1,16389.2%Beats 99%A
2015 Porsche Cayenne4 engines86.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel11,71086.2%Beats 97%A
4.1 Diesel4,23586.9%Beats 99%A
3.0 Hybrid2,71585.2%Beats 97%A
3.6 Petrol1,62288.5%Beats 99%A
2014 Porsche Cayenne3 engines86.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel10,40985.8%Beats 99%A
4.1 Diesel3,80487.1%Beats 99%A
4.8 Petrol1,58887.8%Beats 99%A
2013 Porsche Cayenne3 engines84.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel13,19783.5%Beats 99%A
4.1 Diesel3,43486.7%Beats 100%A
4.8 Petrol2,10484.6%Beats 99%A
2012 Porsche Cayenne2 engines83.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel13,73882.7%Beats 99%A
4.8 Petrol2,51187.6%Beats 100%A
2011 Porsche Cayenne2 engines82.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel8,28382.0%Beats 99%A
4.8 Petrol1,26086.3%Beats 100%A
2010 Porsche Cayenne2 engines80.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel5,23479.7%Beats 99%A
4.8 Petrol1,43084.3%Beats 100%A
2009 Porsche Cayenne2 engines75.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,80574.5%Beats 97%A
4.8 Petrol2,26278.4%Beats 99%A
2008 Porsche Cayenne1 engine78.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.8 Petrol3,80278.0%Beats 99%A
2007 Porsche Cayenne3 engines74.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.8 Petrol3,08875.8%Beats 98%A
3.6 Petrol1,40673.2%Beats 97%A
3.2 Petrol1,19872.0%Beats 96%A
2006 Porsche Cayenne2 engines74.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.5 Petrol4,69176.4%Beats 99%A
3.2 Petrol3,76871.2%Beats 96%A
2005 Porsche Cayenne2 engines72.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Petrol6,69071.2%Beats 97%A
4.5 Petrol5,99773.7%Beats 98%A
2004 Porsche Cayenne2 engines71.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.5 Petrol6,12972.3%Beats 98%A
3.2 Petrol4,87769.4%Beats 96%A
2003 Porsche Cayenne1 engine72.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.5 Petrol5,67472.4%Beats 98%A

FAQ

What is the Porsche Cayenne MOT pass rate?

83.4% of MOT tests on the Porsche Cayenne were passed first time, based on 214,893 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2003–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.2% of the time.

Is the Porsche Cayenne reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 98% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Porsche Cayenne year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2015 Cayenne does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 96%.

Which Porsche Cayenne engine is best?

Across all years, the 4.1 Diesel does best: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 3.0 Hybrid does worst: it beats 96%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Porsche Cayenne?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, number plates comes up 1.8× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.