Porsche Boxster S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Porsche Boxster S car check
Is the Porsche Boxster S reliable? We analysed 3,062 real MOT tests across 383 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Porsche Boxster S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Porsche Boxster S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake disc excessively pitted and brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Porsche Boxster S.
Porsche Boxster S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Porsche Boxster S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Porsche Boxster S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Porsche Boxster S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Porsche Boxster S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Porsche Boxster S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Porsche Boxster S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Porsche Boxster S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Porsche Boxster S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Porsche Boxster S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 73 | 87.7% | 22,149 | 38,949 | 49,534 |
| 2007 | 116 | 82.8% | 33,288 | 52,024 | 64,234 |
| 2006 | 141 | 87.9% | 28,608 | 44,856 | 71,058 |
| 2005 | 296 | 83.8% | 51,676 | 73,218 | 86,081 |
| 2004 | 69 | 76.8% | 46,248 | 74,108 | 105,337 |
| 2003 | 271 | 80.1% | 28,688 | 47,606 | 66,692 |
| 2002 | 286 | 76.6% | 40,840 | 64,706 | 92,724 |
| 2001 | 295 | 75.6% | 42,346 | 56,989 | 80,720 |
| 2000 | 353 | 75.9% | 40,488 | 62,193 | 87,836 |
How Long Does a Porsche Boxster S Last?
Based on 383 Porsche Boxster S vehicles on UK roads.
Porsche Boxster S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Porsche Boxster S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Porsche Boxster S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.9% MOT pass rate from 141 tests
75.6% MOT pass rate from 295 tests
The best year to buy a used Porsche Boxster S is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.9% across 141 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Porsche Boxster S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Boxster S THIS CAR | 82.3% | 3,062 | 59,153 mi | 26 yrs |
| Porsche 911 | 85.2% | 977,057 | 55,056 mi | 47 yrs |
| Porsche Boxster | 82.8% | 726,695 | 55,739 mi | 29 yrs |
| Porsche Cayenne | 84.5% | 388,697 | 65,616 mi | 23 yrs |
| Vauxhall Crossland X Griffin Turbo D | 87.3% | 1,264 | 33,892 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Porsche 911 (85.2% pass rate) and the Porsche Boxster (82.8% pass rate), the Porsche Boxster S trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Porsche Boxster S you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Porsche Boxster SShould you buy a used Porsche Boxster S?
The Porsche Boxster S has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 3,062 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Porsche Boxster S are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (80 recorded failures), brake disc excessively pitted (62), and brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (26). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Porsche Boxster S owner drives around 1,846 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Porsche Boxster S models stay on UK roads for around 26 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.