2004 Porsche 911 3.6L Petrol · LK04 AEB

The vehicle achieved a PASS at its most recent MOT test on 14 October 2025, with advisories recorded against both front tyres, noting they were worn close to the legal limit and showing edge wear. Reviewing the five-year DVSA history, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable but with a mildly concerning pattern emerging, as the 2022 and 2023 tests were passed with no advisories at all, while 2024 introduced rear tyre wear advisories and 2025 progressed to front tyre advisories. This sequential pattern suggests that tyre condition has become the primary recurring observation, and although no structural or mechanical failures have yet been recorded, the advisories indicate that consumable wear is now accelerating or becoming uneven, warranting closer scrutiny of the suspension geometry, wheel alignment, and corner weights given this is a rear-engined performance platform known for demanding precise geometry. The recorded mileage of 72,791 miles against a 2004 registration places this 911 at roughly 3,309 miles per year on average, which is notably low for any road car and particularly modest for a Porsche of this era. This pattern typically reflects either genuinely light enthusiast use or extended periods of storage or underuse, both of which carry their own mechanical consequences. Sparse annual mileage does not necessarily preserve components like suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs, and callipers, which can degrade through oxidation, fluid absorption, and galvanic corrosion rather than friction wear. The intervals between recorded MOTs also appear broadly annual, but any prospective buyer should query the owner directly about whether the vehicle has been used consistently between tests or whether large portions of recent years were spent laid up, as the DVSA record will not reveal that detail. Given the combination of low annual mileage and advancing age, a prospective buyer should approach this 911 with particular attention to time-related degradation rather than purely distance-based wear. The tyres themselves warrant immediate inspection, as the recurring advisories may simply reflect age-related perishing and sidewall cracking on a 22-year-old car rather than active tread loss; check both the inner and outer shoulders for uneven wear patterns, examine the sidewalls for hairline cracks, and verify the production date stamps, as Porsche specification tyres such as the original N-rated fitments can deteriorate chemically long before they wear out. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonks or thuds from the front MacPherson strut tops, drop links, and lower wishbone bushes, as Porsche suspension components of this vintage are prone to play from age rather than mileage, and pay particular attention to any vagueness or tramlining through the steering, which would point to tired compliance bushes or top mount wear. The braking system should be evaluated for standing corrosion rather than pad wear, as discs that have been left idle can develop lipping, surface oxidation, or even seized slider pins and binding rear callipers, the latter being a common Porsche-specific issue that presents as uneven pulling under light braking or a handbrake that fails to release cleanly. The 12V battery is highly likely to be a priority replacement item given the likely periods of infrequent use, and a weak or marginal battery can cause cascade faults across the Porsche diagnostic systems, so a load test or recent purchase evidence should be obtained. Brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox oil all degrade on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, so verify service history stamps showing recent fluid changes, particularly for the manual or Tiptronic transmission fluid if applicable, and inspect the undertrights and sump area for the characteristic oil weep from the rear main seal and intermediate shaft seals that affects this generation. Finally, examine the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting brackets and heat-shield fixings, as standing cars in damp garages often suffer accelerated rust at these joints, and ensure the convertible top mechanism, if fitted, operates fully and seals cleanly, as folded fabric hoods of this age are frequently a source of expensive rectification.