MOT performance

Porsche Boxster MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 65,604 MOT tests of the Porsche Boxster in 2023–2024, 82.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Porsche Boxsters failed 45% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits”, on 2.93% of tests.

65,604 MOT tests on 34,138 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Porsche Boxster MOT results at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
First-time pass rate	82.2%	±0.3 pts (95%), n = 65,604
Failures vs similar cars	0.55×	same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect	3.7%	n = 65,604
Average age at test	15.7 years	n = 65,604
Median mileage at test	61,581 miles	n = 65,604
Vehicles tested	34,138	2023–2024

Where Porsche Boxsters fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Porsche Boxster MOT failures by area
Area	Tests failed on it	vs similar cars
Lights, reflectors and electrical	6.5%	-54%
Noise, emissions and leaks	4.4%	-12%
Suspension	4.2%	-61%
Brakes	4.1%	-52%
Tyres	3.1%	-42%
Driver's view of the road	2.3%	-61%
Body, chassis and structure	1.8%	-66%
Steering	0.7%	-66%
Seat belts and airbags	0.4%	-75%
Registration plates and VIN	0.4%	-19%
Road wheels	0.1%	-61%
Speedometer and driving controls	0.0%	-73%

Most common failure items

Most common Porsche Boxster MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.93%
Coil spring: fractured or broken	Suspension	1.83%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	1.62%
Position lamp: not working	Lights, reflectors and electrical	1.29%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	Driver's view of the road	1.19%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	1.18%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lights, reflectors and electrical	0.97%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam	Lights, reflectors and electrical	0.82%
Headlamp aim: too high	Lights, reflectors and electrical	0.81%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements	Brakes	0.70%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Porsche Boxster MOT advisories
Item	Area	Share of tests
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	12.10%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	Brakes	9.62%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	9.10%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	7.09%
Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine	Noise, emissions and leaks	4.66%

Pass rate by age

Porsche Boxster MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
3-4	2,772	94.4%	-47%
5-6	3,960	94.0%	-57%
7-8	4,572	93.2%	-62%
9-10	4,968	91.5%	-65%
11-12	3,660	90.3%	-66%
13-15	5,505	87.8%	-65%
16+	39,595	76.0%	-39%

Pass rate by registration year

Porsche Boxster MOT pass rate by registration year
Registered	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
2021	337	96.1%	0.46×
2020	870	93.9%	0.65×
2019	1,818	94.6%	0.50×
2018	2,063	93.9%	0.48×
2017	2,003	93.7%	0.42×
2016	2,461	92.8%	0.43×
2015	2,147	93.8%	0.33×
2014	2,397	92.0%	0.36×
2013	2,559	91.7%	0.33×
2012	2,223	89.5%	0.39×
2011	1,557	90.4%	0.32×
2010	1,615	90.0%	0.31×
2009	1,674	90.0%	0.28×
2008	2,171	85.9%	0.38×
2007	3,243	83.4%	0.43×
2006	3,777	81.3%	0.47×
2005	6,578	79.9%	0.50×
2004	4,212	74.7%	0.62×
2003	4,959	73.3%	0.65×
2002	4,342	73.0%	0.66×
2001	4,238	73.6%	0.67×
2000	3,833	74.0%	0.68×
1999	2,124	72.3%	0.78×
1998	1,557	69.8%	0.95×
1997	800	72.8%	0.90×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

What a Porsche Boxster costs to own

73 Auto's worked ownership-cost examples for this model:

Porsche Boxster 2006

Check a specific Porsche Boxster

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UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.