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Porsche Panamera reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 35,940 MOT tests of cars first registered 2010–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
86.8%pass first time
+12.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 99%of cars
35,940MOT tests

Verdict

The Porsche Panamera passes its MOT first time on 86.8% of tests, 12.4 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (74.4%). That puts it ahead of 99% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 Panamera does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 93%).

Of its engines, the 4.8 Petrol does best (beats 100%) and the 4.0 Petrol worst (beats 94%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Number plates2.8×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%3456789101112131489%88%87%86%85%84%
Porsche PanameraTypical 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.

2010
Beats 100%
2011
Beats 99%
2012
Beats 99%
2013
Beats 99%
2014
Beats 99%
2015
Beats 98%
2016
Beats 98%
2017
Beats 99%
2018
Beats 96%
2019
Beats 93%

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 Diesel2011–201519,20484.9%Beats 99%A
2.9 Hybrid2017–20196,77889.8%Beats 97%A
4.8 Petrol2010–20124,33386.3%Beats 100%A
3.0 Hybrid2014–20163,23588.8%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol2017–20171,27491.7%Beats 99%A
4.0 Petrol2019–20191,11690.5%Beats 94%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: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% 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: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.2% 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: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.2% 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+6.8 ptsTyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% 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−0.1 ptsBrakes: 1.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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+3.8 ptsSuspension: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% 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+4.7 ptsExhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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+1.4 ptsSuspension: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% 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: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.2% 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: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.2% 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+6.8 ptsTyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% 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−0.1 ptsBrakes: 1.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.3% 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+3.8 ptsSuspension: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.9% 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+4.7 ptsExhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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+1.4 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% 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).

Tyres
6.5% vs 6.4%
Lights & electrics
2.4% vs 9.2%
Suspension
2.2% vs 6.9%
Brakes
1.5% vs 5.3%
Visibility
1.4% vs 4.2%
Emissions & leaks
0.7% vs 2.0%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%
Steering
0.2% vs 1.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.6%
Body & structure
0.2% vs 2.1%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • 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.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k92%89%88%85%83%82%
Porsche PanameraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.0%3.5%1.2×
Tyre tread depth2.1%2.5%0.8×
Coil springs1.6%2.2%0.7×
Headlight aim1.1%2.6%0.4×
Number plates0.8%0.3%2.8×
Windscreen wipers0.7%2.1%0.3×
Windscreen washers0.6%1.9%0.3×
Brake pads0.5%2.1%0.2×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.5%0.5%1.0×
Engine warning light0.4%0.8%0.5×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements21.1
A tyre seriously damaged20.6
A tyre cords visible or damaged19.3
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened16.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements11.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen6.7
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements6.1
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen5.9
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.

2019 Porsche Panamera2 engines89.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Hybrid1,73889.5%Beats 92%A
4.0 Petrol1,11690.5%Beats 94%A
2018 Porsche Panamera1 engine89.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Hybrid2,43689.4%Beats 96%A
2017 Porsche Panamera2 engines90.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Hybrid2,60490.4%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol1,27491.7%Beats 99%A
2016 Porsche Panamera1 engine88.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Hybrid1,07288.4%Beats 98%A
2015 Porsche Panamera2 engines86.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,09686.5%Beats 98%A
3.0 Hybrid1,00787.7%Beats 99%A
2014 Porsche Panamera2 engines87.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,32686.4%Beats 99%A
3.0 Hybrid1,15690.1%Beats 100%A
2013 Porsche Panamera1 engine84.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,93284.5%Beats 99%A
2012 Porsche Panamera2 engines84.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,21783.5%Beats 99%A
4.8 Petrol1,24688.0%Beats 100%A
2011 Porsche Panamera2 engines83.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,63381.9%Beats 99%A
4.8 Petrol1,05786.9%Beats 100%A
2010 Porsche Panamera1 engine84.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.8 Petrol2,03084.9%Beats 100%A

FAQ

What is the Porsche Panamera MOT pass rate?

86.8% of MOT tests on the Porsche Panamera were passed first time, based on 35,940 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2010–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 74.4% of the time.

Is the Porsche Panamera 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 99% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Porsche Panamera year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 Panamera does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 93%.

Which Porsche Panamera engine is best?

Across all years, the 4.8 Petrol does best: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 4.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 94%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, number plates comes up 2.8× 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.