PORSCHE BOXSTER Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,279 MOT tests from 269 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every PORSCHE BOXSTER has the same fault.

PORSCHE BOXSTER's have a very good reliability rating of 604/999. The score was calculated from the average of every PORSCHE BOXSTER that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the PORSCHE BOXSTER.

PORSCHE BOXSTER (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2013	787/999Very good	96,234 miles	1,032 vehicles
Petrol	2011	769/999Very good	90,561 miles	827 vehicles
Petrol	2009	649/999Good	71,239 miles	579 vehicles
Petrol	2003	534/999Above average	77,541 miles	1,634 vehicles
Petrol	2002	507/999Above average	71,784 miles	1,485 vehicles
Petrol	2001	513/999Above average	73,081 miles	1,676 vehicles
Petrol	2000	527/999Above average	74,569 miles	1,647 vehicles
Petrol	1999	548/999Above average	78,209 miles	560 vehicles

How reliable is the PORSCHE BOXSTER?

Based on 5,279 MOT tests from 269 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

269

MOT tests

5,279

Pass rate

81.8%

Median mileage

82,805 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every PORSCHE BOXSTER has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 607 out of 999.

Common PORSCHE BOXSTER MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 896 advisory comments and 127 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 325 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 119 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 100 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 92 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 78 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN (2.4.C.1A)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 19 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

PORSCHE BOXSTER MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2015	7	66	90.9%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2014	10	101	98%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	6	79	88.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	10	133	90.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	5	74	91.9%	Corrosion, Brake disc wear
2010	10	139	91.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2009	5	87	83.9%	Corrosion, Brake disc wear
2008	10	177	85.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	14	246	88.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2006	19	383	83.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	47	999	82.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2004	26	583	78.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	15	368	82.3%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2002	20	472	77.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2001	22	510	80%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2000	14	315	77.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1999	10	229	73.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1998	10	219	76.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used PORSCHE BOXSTER

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a PORSCHE BOXSTER?

Common problems tell you what can affect PORSCHE BOXSTERs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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