2016 Porsche Cayenne 3.0L Diesel · FD16 AAY

A clear pattern of tyre-related advisories dominates the MOT history of this 2016 Porsche Cayenne, and it is the defining mechanical takeaway for any prospective buyer. Across five recorded tests spanning from early 2022 to late 2025, the vehicle has passed every examination without a single failure, yet almost every test has flagged tyre condition in some form. The most recent pass on 6 November 2025 recorded a nearside front outer sidewall cut, mirroring an identical advisory at the previous test on 11 November 2024. Earlier entries show nearside rear and offside front tyres worn close to the legal limit on central tread in 2022, and an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit with cracking and perishing in 2023. The recurrence suggests this vehicle may be subject to uneven tyre wear, possibly linked to suspension geometry, alignment settings, or the characteristic weight distribution of a large SUV running near 120,000 miles. Minor advisories on a child seat restricting belt inspection and a defective side repeater lens are also recorded, but these are cosmetic and do not affect roadworthiness. The recorded mileage of 119,637 against a 2016 registration equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 11,964 miles, which sits close to the expected average for a ten-year-old vehicle of this class. Annual MOT entries are consistently spaced at roughly twelve-month intervals with no multi-year gaps that would indicate extended periods off the road, and the mileage progression implied by regular testing points to steady, continuous use rather than long stationary periods. For a heavy, performance-oriented SUV with complex air suspension, multi-link rear geometry, and sizeable braking components, sustained year-round use at this rate is generally beneficial in keeping seals, dampers, and brake systems active rather than allowing them to seize through disuse. However, by this mileage point, normal wear on suspension bushings, drop links, anti-roll bar mounts, and brake discs and pads should be expected as consumable items regardless of MOT outcome, since the test only confirms condition at the moment of examination. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the precise components and systems that the advisory history suggests may be marginal. Both front and rear tyres should be examined closely for uneven shoulder or central wear, as the 2022 test specifically noted central tread wear on two tyres and 2023 noted edge wear on the offside rear, which can indicate camber or tracking irregularities. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the upper and lower wishbones, track control arms, and anti-roll bar drop links, which are known wear items on the Cayenne at this mileage. The steering should feel precise without vibration through the wheel, and any pull to one side under acceleration or braking would warrant alignment investigation. The air suspension system, if fitted, should rise and settle smoothly without audible compressor cycling, as worn air struts and the pneumatic compressor are costly failures on this platform. Brake feel and high-mileage drivetrain items also merit direct attention. On the test route, the brake pedal should feel firm with no excessive travel or judder under heavy deceleration, as warped front discs are common on heavy SUVs that have covered substantial mileage, particularly if the vehicle has seen towing or spirited driving. With 119,637 miles recorded, the brake fluid should have been renewed multiple times regardless of MOT evidence, and any sign of a spongy pedal or excessive lever movement under sustained braking should prompt a fluid inspection. Listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start, check the underside for any oil misting from the camshaft adjusters or rear main seal, and inspect the condition of the coolant expansion tank and any intercooler hoses for stress cracking. A diagnostic read of stored fault codes, particularly relating to the transfer case, PDCC anti-roll system, or air suspension, would also be prudent before purchase, as these electronic systems are expensive to rectify on this generation of Cayenne and would not necessarily be flagged during a routine MOT examination.