Used Porsche Macan review and buying guide (2014 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Porsche Macan should you buy?

The Macan to buy is one with receipts for its transfer case oil changes, because on 2014 to 2018 cars the clutch and seals inside the transfer case wear early. It's the one serious known fault on the model, and it usually shows between 40,000 and 70,000 miles as a judder or bucking when you pull away or accelerate.

The oil's due every 40,000 miles or 48 months. A car with invoices for that job at the right points is the one to go for, whichever engine it has. One that's past 40,000 miles with no record of the oil ever being changed is a car to leave, however tidy the bodywork and cabin look.

Cars from 2019 onwards fall outside the fault's years, but that isn't proof they're fixed: there's very little on record about them either way. The oil change interval applies to every Macan, so ask for the same receipts on a newer car and don't treat it as sorted just because it's younger.

Which Macan engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

There's no Macan engine to avoid on the evidence, and none that's proven safe either, because no known fault names a particular engine. What is named is the transfer case on 2014 to 2018 cars, behind the diesel, the V6 petrol and the 3.6 Turbo alike, so its history matters more than which engine you choose.

The 3.0 V6 diesel was recalled across the EU in 2018 after German authorities found it had been fitted with devices that let its nitrogen oxide emissions rise. In the UK the fix was an engine software update, so the diesel's the one engine that comes with extra paperwork to chase: proof the update's been done.

There's no known fault against the gearbox, but two owners' reports are worth having in mind on the test drive. One 2014 Macan S diesel had its front wheels grab over ruts at 32,658 miles; a garage put it down to a transmission fault and quoted £2,500 to fix it once the warranty had run out. Another owner, with a 15,000-mile 2015 Macan S, had a flat spot pulling away from rest that made roundabouts unnerving.

What should you check when viewing a used Macan?

Check the transfer case first, and the test drive's where it shows. On a 2014 to 2018 car, pull away gently, accelerate through the low gears and turn tightly at walking pace, feeling for bucking or jerking under power, a shudder at low speed, or the sense of rolling over little speed bumps on a smooth road. Any of that points to a worn transfer case clutch.

Match the invoice for the last transfer case oil change against the dates and mileages in the service book. Then ask for proof the recall work was done. On cars built from 2014 to 2018 a fuel pump pipe could rub against its service cover and get damaged, and cars built in 2014 and 2015 had a low pressure fuel line that could leak, bringing a fire risk. On a diesel, the paperwork for the emissions software update matters too, rather than the seller's word that it's sorted.

Lift the front carpets and feel for damp. One owner's car had soaking footwells because the panoramic sunroof drains running down the front pillars had failed, and after one unsuccessful repair a dealer quoted £3,222 to strip the interior and fix it, less a £500 contribution from Porsche.

Brake firmly to a stop a few times: one owner of a 2019 Macan S felt an occasional strong shake through the pedal, wheel and seat when halting. Try the cruise control and park assist too, as one car delivered in 2016 spent 9 weeks at a dealer with faults in both. Check the driver's seat side bolster as well, since one owner's leather had cracked by 9,700 miles.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Porsche Macan cost to run?

What do Macan owners like about them?

The handling's the big draw, and it isn't just good for an SUV: it'd stand comparison with almost any car on a twisty road. That's the reason to choose one, so drive it on a proper B-road rather than judging it from a trip round the block.

The diesel's got decent pace for everyday driving, so it doesn't feel short of go for something this size. If you want real speed, the 3.6 Turbo's a proper performance car in its own right rather than a family SUV that's merely quicker than the rest of the range.

• The Macan offers excellent handling characteristics, performing well for an SUV and any other vehicle type.
• The diesel engine variant provides good performance combined with economical running costs, making it an affordable choice.
• The 3.6 Turbo engine transforms the Macan into a genuine performance car, delivering impressive power and acceleration.
• The Macan achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with high scores for adult and child occupant protection.