MOT failures by make
Porsche MOT failures for “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect”
Porsche cars failed their MOT on “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect” in 0.45% of 346,550 tests in 2023–2024 (1,564 tests) — 68% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 1.40% of tests. It is the number 14 most common failure item on Porsches.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Porsche tests failing on it
- 0.45%
- 1,564 of 346,550 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 1.40%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 0.32×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #14 for Porsche
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, Porsches fail 50% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 0.64× narrower than that overall level, so it is a genuine Porsche pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the lights, reflectors and electrical part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.31% of MOT tests.
Porsche models and “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect”
The Porsche Panamera is least affected (0.09× comparable cars); the Porsche Cayenne most (0.38×). Every model listed is below the national rate, so the pattern runs across the range. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Cayenne | 59,466 | 0.51% | 0.38× |
| Porsche Boxster | 65,604 | 0.97% | 0.37× |
| Porsche Macan | 56,741 | 0.08% | 0.21× |
| Porsche 911 | 100,223 | 0.44% | 0.21× |
| Porsche Cayman | 29,543 | 0.23% | 0.15× |
| Porsche Panamera | 14,147 | 0.06% | 0.09× |
By age at test
The difference is most pronounced at 9-10 years old: 0.07% of Porsche tests against 0.82% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | Porsche tests | Porsche | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 47,133 | 0.03% | 0.12% |
| 5-6 | 45,521 | 0.03% | 0.25% |
| 7-8 | 42,365 | 0.12% | 0.44% |
| 9-10 | 29,700 | 0.07% | 0.82% |
| 11-12 | 19,905 | 0.19% | 1.16% |
| 13-15 | 25,495 | 0.32% | 1.87% |
| 16+ | 119,997 | 1.11% | 2.95% |
Other Porsche MOT faults that stand out
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively · 0.30× comparable cars
- Position lamp: not working · 0.38× comparable cars
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid · 0.35× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Porsche tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this Porsche failed on it before?
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.