Porsche 928 VIN Decoder

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Quick Facts about Porsche 928

~$765
Annual maintenance
$45,800
Avg market price
8.1/10
Reliability score
23%
Accident rate

Why Check Your Porsche 928 VIN History?

The Porsche 928 is a V8 grand tourer (1978–1995) that’s now a collectible in the US used market. Many cars have varied usage and complex option mixes.

When checking a Porsche 928's VIN history, buyers should pay special attention to:

  • Timing belt and water pump replacements documented by mileage/time.
  • Automatic cars: flex-plate clamp checks and crank end-play measurements.
  • Recall completion for steering, brake, and emissions campaigns.
  • ABS, suspension, and brake servicing on S4/GT/GTS performance variants.
  • Factory build/options (manual vs. automatic, LSD, trim) matched to the VIN.

A complete VIN history reduces the risk of hidden accidents, title issues, and skipped maintenance. Missing belt service or unresolved recalls can quickly become expensive and impact resale.

Porsche 928 Generations & Years

PORSCHE 928 (1978-1982) - First Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2-door 2+2 grand tourer (hatchback)
  • Engines: 4.5L V8 (SOHC)
  • Production: Stuttgart (Zuffenhausen), Germany
  • Highlight: All-new front-engine V8 with rear transaxle layout introduced.

928 S / S2 (1980-1986) - Second Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2-door 2+2 grand tourer
  • Engines: 4.7L V8 (S); later 5.0L 32-valve for NA/selected markets
  • Production: Stuttgart, Germany
  • Highlight: Power increase; ABS became available/standard; US received 5.0L 32-valve from MY1985.

928 S4 (1987-1991) - Third Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2-door 2+2 grand tourer
  • Engines: 5.0L V8 32-valve
  • Production: Stuttgart, Germany
  • Highlight: Aerodynamic facelift, bigger brakes, more power, standard ABS.

928 GT (1989-1991) - Performance Variant

Key Details:

  • Body: 2-door 2+2 grand tourer
  • Engines: 5.0L V8 32-valve (higher output), usually manual
  • Production: Stuttgart, Germany
  • Highlight: Sport-tuned, manual-only performance model above S4.

928 GTS (1992-1995) - Final Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2-door 2+2 grand tourer
  • Engines: 5.4L V8 32-valve
  • Production: Stuttgart, Germany
  • Highlight: Final evolution with 5.4L V8 and wider bodywork.

Porsche 928 Engine Options by Year

Year Model Engine HP 0-60 mph MPG (City/Hwy) Transmission
1995 GTS 5.4L V8 DOHC 350 5.3s* 11/17 5-Speed Manual
1991 GT 5.0L V8 DOHC 326–330 5.7s* N/A 5-Speed Manual
1989 S4 5.0L V8 DOHC 316 5.9s* N/A 4-Speed Auto
1984 928 S 4.7L V8 SOHC ~234 (US) 6.9s* 13/20 5-Speed Manual
1978 928 4.5L V8 SOHC 219 (US) 7.5s* N/A 5-Speed Manual

*0–60 mph converted/derived from period sources listing 0–62 mph or manufacturer data.

Source: Porsche Classic model info; EPA/DOE fuel-economy data; Edmunds specs; Stuttcars/Wikipedia period figures.

What to Check When Buying a Porsche 928

When decoding a Porsche 928 VIN, buyers should focus on generation-specific issues. Different 928 evolutions in the US market have distinct risk areas and maintenance costs.

⚠️ PORSCHE 928 Generation (1978-1982)

  • Timing belt & water pump service: Early cars are interference-risk. Verify belt/tensioner and water pump changes by mileage/time with invoices.
  • Fuel/ignition system aging: Check records for injector, pump, and ignition component refresh. Long gaps raise drivability and reliability risks.

⚠️ 928 S / S2 Generation (1980-1986)

  • Cooling and belt interval adherence: Confirm belt services at conservative intervals (≈45–60k miles) and cooling system work noted by VIN.
  • ABS/brake maintenance: Later S/S2 with ABS need proof of brake/ABS service to avoid costly remediation.

⚠️ 928 S4 Generation (1987-1991)

  • Flex-plate clamp & thrust bearing: For automatics, look for flex-plate pressure checks and crank end-play measurements. Unresolved issues can cause engine failure.
  • Recall completion: Verify completion of era-specific recalls (steering/brake/emissions) via VIN in NHTSA records.

⚠️ 928 GT Generation (1989-1991)

  • Manual driveline wear: Inspect for clutch, torque-tube, and limited-slip service history. Performance use often increases wear.
  • Suspension/brakes: Ensure documentation for bushing, shock, and brake overhauls on higher-output GTs.

⚠️ 928 GTS Generation (1992-1995)

  • High-value components: Confirm timing-belt services and proper GTS-specific parts usage; parts/repairs carry premium costs.
  • Mileage and accident history: Given collector pricing, verify title status, structural repairs, and consistent odometer history.

💡 Pro Tip: Documented timing-belt/water-pump services, flex-plate checks (automatics), and verified recall closures substantially reduce risk. Thorough VIN-based history, plus invoices for major work, makes a used 928 more desirable and easier to insure and finance.

Risk Statistics for Used Porsche 928

Key Risk Impact on Buyers Mitigation Steps
Unrepaired Safety Recalls 23 distinct 928 recall campaigns across model years increase safety risk if open. Check VIN in NHTSA recall database. Confirm dealer closure records.
Odometer Rollback Fraud >450,000 US vehicles annually are sold with false mileage, affecting pricing and maintenance planning. Compare VIN mileage with DMV/inspection records and service stamps.
Hidden Flood/Salvage History ~454,000 flood-damaged vehicles back in use nationwide. Some sold without disclosure. Verify title brands via NMVTIS/NICB. Review photos and corrosion signs.
Depreciation/Collector Volatility Collector demand swings: GTS averages ~$100k vs. ~$40k for typical 928s. Use VIN history, inspection, and comps to price by trim, mileage, and provenance.

Data Sources & Methodology

This PORSCHE 928 information is compiled from trusted sources:

Quick Generation Comparison

Feature 928 S4 (1987–1991) 928 GT (1989–1991) 928 GTS (1992–1995)
Reliability Score 7.5/10 7.3/10 7.8/10
Avg. Annual Maintenance $1,200 $1,300 $1,400
Avg. Mileage (used market) 85,000 mi 80,000 mi 70,000 mi
Fuel Economy (combined) 15 mpg* 15 mpg* 14 mpg*
Hybrid Available No No No
Technology Level ★★★☆☆ ★★★★ ★★★★
Best For Value GT touring Engaging manual Top-tier collectible

Sample Porsche 928 VIN Decoder Results

Results for VIN Decoding for
VIN# WP0JA0927BS820444

1981 PORSCHE 928

BLOCKCHAIN Confirmed Data Approved NMVTIS Data Provider
1981 PORSCHE 928
  • Odometer

    No problems

  • Safety Recalls

    1 records

  • Accidents

    2 problems

  • Last mileage

    245,051 km

  • Auction Sales

    2 sales found

  • Owners

    2+ owners found

  • Year

    Year 1981

  • Make

    Make Porsche

  • Model

    Model 928

  • Fuel Type

    Fuel Type

  • Engine

    Engine Horizontally opposed (boxer)

  • Made in

    Made in GERMANY

What you can get:

  • Title Status & High-Risk Labels: Shows salvage, flood, rebuilt, or lemon branding to flag expensive restoration risks on older 928s.
  • Mileage History & Rollback Checks: Tracks odometer readings across years to detect discrepancies that affect price and maintenance planning.
  • Accident, Structural Damage & Airbag Events: Lists reported collisions and repairs so buyers can avoid frame damage on collectible variants.
  • Recall & Service Campaign Tracking: Confirms open or completed 928 recalls, important for steering, brakes, and emissions campaigns.
  • Usage Type: Personal, Lease, or Fleet: Identifies prior use; hard-used or commercial histories may increase wear on driveline and suspension.
  • Equipment & Build Data Verification: Verifies transmission, LSD, and trim (S4/GT/GTS) match the VIN to price correctly.

FAQ: Porsche 928

Where can I find the VIN on a Porsche 928?

The dashboard plate at the base of the windshield (driver's side). Also, check the driver-door jamb label and a stamped VIN on the right inner fender. Some cars also have a luggage-area label. Cross-check all VINs with the title.

How do I decode the characters in a Porsche 928 VIN?

1981-on Porsche VINs use 17 characters: “WP0” denotes Porsche passenger cars; position 10 is model year, 11 is factory, and positions 7–8/12 denote model type. Pre-1981 cars used shorter formats.

Which Porsche 928 generation is considered the most reliable?

Well-maintained late S4 and GTS cars are often regarded as robust. However, reliability depends heavily on timing-belt service, flex-plate checks (automatics), and documented repairs rather than the year alone.

What are typical maintenance costs for a Porsche 928?

As per RepairPal, average annual maintenance is about $765. Real-world costs vary with age, mileage, and parts availability. This particularly concerns GTS. Verify major services in records.

Are there recalls I should check before buying a 928?

Yes. NHTSA lists multiple recalls across 1978–1991 for different components. These are steering, brakes, and emissions. Use the VIN to confirm recall status and completion.

What fuel economy should I expect from a 928?

Official EPA figures for mid-1980s cars are around 13/20 mpg (15 combined). GTS manuals are rated about 11/17 mpg. Driving style and condition significantly affect results.

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