Before you buy a used Porsche 911 (997).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 7 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
Carrera 3.6 / 3.8
Petrol
- IMS intermediate shaft bearingEngine (intermediate shaft bearing)
- Period mentioned
- 1997–2008 (highest risk 2000–2005)
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Turbo / GT3 (3.6 / 3.8)
Petrol
- Period mentioned
- 1999–2012
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| Carrera 3.6 / 3.8Petrol | 1 | 6 |
| Turbo / GT3 (3.6 / 3.8)Petrol | 1 | 7 |
According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Porsche dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Porsche airbag and seat-belt recalls (2007–2025)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche brake recalls (2004–2024)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche fuel-system recalls (2004–2025)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2007–2025)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche engine, transmission and software recalls (2006–2026)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche body, seat and fitting recalls (2004–2023)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChassis joints without correct tightening torqueChassis / steering
Engines: Turbo / GT3 (3.6 / 3.8) (Petrol)
How to check it: Verify VIN; check and correct torque under the recall.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Engine (intermediate shaft bearing)
Look out for: Often none before it breaks. Sometimes noise or knocking and metal particles in the oil filter. When it fails it usually destroys the engine.
Ask them to check: Identify the bearing type by year and engine, check the oil filter for metal particles and confirm whether a replacement bearing has already been fitted.
Cooling
Look out for: Sudden coolant loss over the rear wheels; corroded front pipes that drip; plastic oil-cooler elbows that crack.
Ask them to check: Ask whether the pipes have been welded or pinned; look for coolant residue in the engine bay and under the car.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- IMS intermediate shaft bearing
- Glued coolant pipes that come apart on the Mezger engine (911 Turbo and GT3)
- Porsche airbag and seat-belt recalls (2007–2025)
- Porsche brake recalls (2004–2024)
- Porsche fuel-system recalls (2004–2025)
- Porsche wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2007–2025)
- Porsche engine, transmission and software recalls (2006–2026)
- Porsche body, seat and fitting recalls (2004–2023)
- Chassis joints without correct tightening torque
More Porsche buying guides
- Porsche Boxster / Cayman (987)2004–2012
- Porsche Cayenne (955/957)2002–2010
- Porsche Panamera (970)2009–2016
- Porsche 911 (996)2000–2005
- Porsche Cayenne (92A)2010–2017
- Porsche Boxster (986)2000–2004
- Porsche Boxster / Cayman (981)2012–2016
- Porsche 911 (991)2011–2019