Used buying checklist
Porsche Panamera reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Porsche Panamera looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 10.2% of 7,151 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 10.2% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 54,072 miles
- 728 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include provides insufficient washer liquid, does not clear the windscreen effectively, and damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- Nail in tyre
- on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel
- Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch
- ferrule excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure
The model's recorded failure rate is 10.2%, -8.5 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed7,151 tests
- Median tested mileage54,072 miles
- Failed MOT tests728
Should you buy a used Porsche Panamera?
89.8% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 10.2%, -8.5 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "provides insufficient washer liquid"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Porsche Panamera, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
The MOT failure rate rises from 6.9% at 0-3 years to 12.3% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Porsche Panamera, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Porsche Panamera mainly involve 6 areas: mixed recall notices, emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and seatbelts and safety systems. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Porsche Panamera, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 3,182 | 2,787 | 8.4%-2.4 percentage points vs all models | 32,347 miles |
| 50-100k | 3,224 | 2,769 | 11.1%-9.6 percentage points vs all models | 69,022 miles |
| 100-150k | 633 | 534 | 14.1%-12.1 percentage points vs all models | 112,999 miles |
| 150-200k | 56 | 42 | 21.4%-5.8 percentage points vs all models | 162,363 miles |
| 200k+ | 6 | 5 | 16.7%-9.9 percentage points vs all models | 210,717 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Porsche Panamera, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 6.9% at 0-3 years to 12.3% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 12.3% for 10-15 years cars, based on 1,650 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
174 | 164 | 6.9%-1.5 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
2,517 | 2,183 | 8.8%-1.8 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
2,810 | 2,409 | 10.4%-6.2 percentage points vs all models | 8.3 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
1,650 | 1,400 | 12.3%-11.2 percentage points vs all models | 11.2 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-10-09 | ASA8 Recall campaign - Re-coding airbag control unit On affected vehicles the cabling for the crash sensors in the door trim panel was incorrectly assigned which can delay the side airbag trigger in certain crash situations. Re-code the airbag control unit. |
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| 2025-07-08 | ASA6 - Check the air suspension strut on the front axle and rework if necessary There is a possibility that a locking ring on the air-spring strut at the front left and right was not fitted according to specifications on the affected vehicles. If this is the case the locking ring on the upper side of the respective spring strut can loosen and air can thus escape from the air spring. As a result the driving characteristics may be impaired which increases the risk of an accident. The locking ring on the air-spring strut at the front left and right must be checked and reworked depending on the test result |
| 2024-10-28 | ARC4 Stop Use & Safety Recall - Wheel attachment with central locking On affected vehicles the wheel attachments using the central lock may not meet the required specifications. This can lead to damage / breakage and the possibility of wheel detachment. Check the correct functioning of the central lock wheel fastening system and replace if necessary. |
| 2024-03-20 | ARA1 Replacing front right wheel carrier There is a possibility that a wheel carrier that does not meet the required specifications was installed on the right front axle of the affected vehicles during repairs at the Porsche Centre due to a temporary production error. To prevent any possible danger resulting from this the front right wheel carrier must be replaced. |
| 2023-07-12 | On the affected vehicles it is possible that the screw connection of the seat belt mount to the rear left and/or right seat was not carried out in accordance with the specifications. On the affected vehicles it is possible that the screw connection of the seat belt mount to the rear left and/or right seat was not carried out in accordance with the specifications. The screw connection of the seat belt mount to the rear left and/or right seat must be replaced. |
| 2023-04-13 | On affected vehicles there is a possibility of humidity ingress into the control unit for the auxiliary pump of the climate control system. This can cause malfunctions which can lead to short circuits and a risk of smouldering fire. Activation of the AUTO-REST button can lead to fire damage even after the vehicle has been parked. On affected vehicles there is a possibility of humidity ingress into the control unit for the auxiliary pump of the climate control system. This can cause malfunctions which can lead to short circuits and a risk of smouldering fire. Activation of the AUTO-REST button can lead to fire damage even after the vehicle has been parked. Replace the additional pump with a variant with an optimized sealing concept. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Porsche Panamera. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Porsche reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.