Porsche Cayman: what fails at MOT
33,000 MOT tests on the Porsche Cayman in 2024, counted. 8.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
8.6% of Porsche Cayman tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.6%, so the Cayman does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (1.5% of tests), tyres (1.2% of tests) and suspension (0.9% 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 | 1,131 | 3.4% | 10.9% | 13,800 9,100 to 20,800 |
| 2020 | 1,335 | 4.0% | 11.5% | 15,700 10,500 to 22,300 |
| 2019 | 2,435 | 5.9% | 13.4% | 22,000 15,300 to 30,200 |
| 2018 | 3,291 | 5.1% | 15.6% | 28,500 19,700 to 36,700 |
| 2017 | 2,551 | 5.2% | 18.2% | 30,700 22,100 to 41,900 |
| 2016 | 2,523 | 4.5% | 21.3% | 26,500 16,900 to 38,900 |
| 2015 | 2,583 | 4.5% | 24.4% | 33,500 22,600 to 47,800 |
| 2014 | 2,676 | 7.0% | 27.7% | 45,400 32,400 to 60,300 |
| 2013 | 2,688 | 5.1% | 30.6% | 47,500 35,400 to 61,100 |
| 2012 | 789 | 5.2% | 33.4% | 47,200 36,100 to 61,900 |
| 2011 | 1,135 | 10.7% | 36.1% | 49,500 36,300 to 68,600 |
| 2010 | 999 | 13.0% | 38.6% | 62,300 49,300 to 85,200 |
| 2009 | 1,349 | 8.8% | 39.8% | 65,400 46,100 to 85,600 |
| 2008 | 1,939 | 15.1% | 41.5% | 71,500 54,400 to 91,500 |
| 2007 | 2,660 | 16.9% | 41.5% | 76,800 58,100 to 93,200 |
| 2006 | 2,909 | 19.1% | 42.4% | 78,000 59,900 to 97,100 |
| 2005 | 334 | 16.2% | 42.2% | 85,000 65,300 to 99,000 |
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 Cayman tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Cayman | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.5% | 7.7% |
| Tyres Less than most | 1.2% | 4.3% |
| Suspension Less than most | 0.9% | 6.2% |
| Brakes Less than most | 0.9% | 4.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.7% | 2.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 0.6% | 3.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Side light0.6%
- Tyre tread0.5%
- Exhaust emissions0.5%
- Coil spring0.3%
- Brake pipes0.3%
- Wipers0.3%
- Washers0.3%
- Engine warning light0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working0.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.3%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.3%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.2%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.2%
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 edge3.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.7%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)0.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive0.8%
- Nail in tyre0.7%
- Ball joint: has slight play0.7%
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?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Porsche Cayman's own MOT record
Looking at a Cayman? 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.