IDENTITY AND SERVICE HISTORY
As ever, let's address the basics first. The 944 you’re looking at should display a matching Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on its V5 registration document and on the identification stamp on the offside inner wing (in the engine bay, behind the brake fluid reservoir).
Elsewhere on the V5 document, you’ll see the engine number. This is stamped into the nearside rear of the block, near the bulkhead. If dirt has built up, the characters might be difficult to see. A bright flashlight might reveal what the eye alone can't.
Spend a couple of quid at mycarcheck.com, where you can download a history report outlining any insurance claims, change of registration number, recorded mileage and whether there’s any outstanding finance on the car. You should also enter the vehicle’s details into the DVLA’S free-to-use MOT history database, which can be found at bit.ly/dvlamot. The service will return all test passes, failures and advisories registered as far back as electronic records are stored, which is helpful in identifying any ongoing mechanical or safety issues. And, if you have the V5 document number at your disposal, you can even see which test centre carried out each inspection.
It's important to remember the massive number of 944s built during a near ten-year production run means these cars (not including Turbos and their derivatives) have never been considered exclusive, leading values to plummet a few years back. Thankfully, the tide has turned, but be aware many surviving normally aspirated 944s are likely to have been in the custody of owners who weren't prepared to shell out for required servicing and maintenance in accordance with manufacturer instruction. Check documentation and paperwork thoroughly. Don't be afraid to walk away — there are plenty of good 944s out there for you to choose from.
Full service history, ideally accompanied by invoices for any work undertaken, is desirable when buying any 944. This might be difficult to achieve with cheaper cars — the conventional front-mounted, four-cylinder M44 engine powering the 944 (plus the 924 S and the 944's successor, the 968) is a home mechanic-friendly bit of kit, meaning many 944 engines have been serviced by their owners. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, providing paperwork is available to prove a sensibly observed maintenance schedule. Pay special attention to the most recent paperwork in the car's history file. This should indicate which jobs are imminent, affording you the opportunity to negotiate a lower purchase price.
Take advantage of the Suncoast Parts Porsche VIN decoder ( bit.ly/suncoastvin), which will provide you with a Porsche-specific build sheet in exchange for just $10. This document will let you know exactly how the car left the factory, including standard model specification and any Individual Equipment items. That said, Porsche record keeping was notoriously bad at the time of the 944's introduction, meaning the older the car, the less detail you can expect to be presented with. The vehicle equipment sticker (hidden by the tailgate carpet and repeated beneath the bonnet and in the owners manual) will give you option codes highlighting all factory-fit equipment.