At a Glance
The Porsche Cayenne has 5 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the E1 (2002-2010) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 296K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Porsche Cayenne common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Porsche Cayenne generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Porsche Cayenne Generations
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Most Common Porsche Cayenne MOT Failures
Every reason Porsche Cayenne vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre condition | 15.16% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 11.22% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 8.10% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.39% |
| 5 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.47% |
| 6 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.29% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.47% |
| 8 | Headlamp fault | 3.18% |
| 9 | Indicator fault | 3.08% |
| 10 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.75% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 2.50% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.48% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 2.35% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.30% |
| 15 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 2.27% |
| 16 | Airbag warning light on | 1.92% |
| 17 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.59% |
| 18 | Brake performance below minimum | 1.35% |
| 19 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 1.32% |
| 20 | Seat belt condition | 1.26% |
| 21 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.14% |
| 22 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.95% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.83% |
| 24 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.77% |
| 25 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.75% |
| 26 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.71% |
| 27 | ABS fault | 0.71% |
| 28 | Exhaust system fault | 0.69% |
| 29 | Driveshaft fault | 0.68% |
| 30 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.63% |
| 31 | Parking brake condition | 0.60% |
| 32 | Track rod end worn | 0.60% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.54% |
| 34 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 35 | Horn not working | 0.42% |
| 36 | Rear lamp not working | 0.38% |
| 37 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.35% |
| 38 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.35% |
| 39 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.34% |
| 40 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.33% |
| 41 | Steering rack fault | 0.30% |
| 42 | Fog lamp not working | 0.26% |
| 43 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.25% |
| 44 | Brake lever fault | 0.23% |
| 45 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.23% |
| 46 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.21% |
| 47 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.20% |
| 48 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.18% |
| 49 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.17% |
| 50 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.17% |
| 51 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.17% |
| 52 | Propshaft fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 56 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.12% |
| 57 | Engine oil leak | 0.12% |
| 58 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.12% |
| 59 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.11% |
| 60 | Driver airbag fault | 0.11% |
| 61 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.10% |
| 62 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 63 | Front suspension fault | 0.09% |
| 64 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 65 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Front passenger door fault | 0.07% |
| 68 | Passenger seat fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 70 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 72 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 75 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 79 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 83 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake servo fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 87 | Chassis condition | 0.02% |
| 88 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 92 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 93 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.02% |
| 95 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 98 | Rear suspension fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 101 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering operation fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 104 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 105 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Battery loose or leaking | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 115 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 122 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 127 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 129 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 130 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 137 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 140 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 152 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Porsche Cayenne MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Porsche Cayenne, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Porsche Cayenne problems?
Based on analysis of 296K Porsche Cayenne MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 5 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Headlamp defect (no aim check)". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Porsche Cayenne generation has the most problems?
The Porsche Cayenne E1 (2002-2010) (2002–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (4). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Porsche Cayenne?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Porsche Cayenne owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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