Porsche Boxster: what fails at MOT
45,000 MOT tests on the Porsche Boxster in 2024, counted. 10.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
10.3% of Porsche Boxster tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 31.5%, so the Boxster does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (1.8% of tests), suspension (1.4% of tests) and tyres (1.3% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 671 | 1.8% | 10.9% | 11,600 7,800 to 16,900 |
| 2020 | 1,231 | 3.5% | 11.5% | 16,000 10,500 to 22,200 |
| 2019 | 2,519 | 3.1% | 13.4% | 19,900 12,500 to 26,200 |
| 2018 | 2,728 | 6.0% | 15.6% | 25,700 17,700 to 34,200 |
| 2017 | 2,532 | 4.4% | 18.2% | 29,600 21,200 to 41,100 |
| 2016 | 2,891 | 5.8% | 21.3% | 30,100 20,300 to 42,300 |
| 2015 | 2,498 | 4.6% | 24.4% | 30,400 17,400 to 43,300 |
| 2014 | 2,433 | 8.4% | 27.7% | 38,100 26,800 to 54,600 |
| 2013 | 2,783 | 7.0% | 30.6% | 42,500 30,200 to 56,000 |
| 2012 | 2,355 | 7.9% | 33.4% | 46,500 31,400 to 63,600 |
| 2011 | 1,320 | 8.3% | 36.1% | 49,200 34,500 to 62,800 |
| 2010 | 1,524 | 8.3% | 38.6% | 49,500 32,300 to 70,700 |
| 2009 | 1,553 | 7.2% | 39.8% | 59,400 42,900 to 76,300 |
| 2008 | 2,058 | 11.8% | 41.5% | 61,600 47,200 to 79,800 |
| 2007 | 2,929 | 14.1% | 41.5% | 68,000 52,500 to 86,900 |
| 2006 | 3,539 | 16.4% | 42.4% | 75,200 56,600 to 95,700 |
| 2005 | 5,797 | 17.1% | 42.2% | 75,300 56,100 to 95,300 |
| 2004 | 3,376 | 22.5% | 42.3% | 77,500 59,500 to 97,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Porsche Boxster tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Boxster | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.8% | 9.4% |
| Suspension Less than most | 1.4% | 7.6% |
| Tyres Less than most | 1.3% | 4.4% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.2% | 5.8% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.2% | 2.8% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 0.7% | 3.6% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.4% | 3.3% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.3% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Exhaust emissions0.9%
- Tyre0.9%
- Headlamp aim0.8%
- Coil spring0.7%
- Brake pipes0.6%
- Tyre tread0.5%
- Wipers0.4%
- Washers0.3%
- Headlamp0.3%
- Side light0.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.4%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.3%
- Side light: not working0.3%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge4.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.2%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)1.1%
- Ball joint: has slight play0.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement0.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Porsche Boxster's own MOT record
Looking at a Boxster? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.