Porsche Cayman Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Porsche Cayman car check
Is the Porsche Cayman reliable? We analysed 183,163 real MOT tests across 18,218 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Porsche Cayman? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Porsche Cayman is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Porsche Cayman.
Porsche Cayman Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Porsche Cayman. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Porsche Cayman MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Porsche Cayman to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Porsche Cayman Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Porsche Cayman fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Porsche Cayman Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Porsche Cayman models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Porsche Cayman Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Porsche Cayman owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Porsche Cayman MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Porsche Cayman year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 144 | 96.5% | 7,760 | 12,290 | 17,808 |
| 2022 | 722 | 95.2% | 8,138 | 12,702 | 19,162 |
| 2021 | 1,208 | 95.7% | 10,411 | 15,812 | 23,940 |
| 2020 | 1,623 | 95.4% | 9,978 | 16,107 | 23,894 |
| 2019 | 5,163 | 94.2% | 13,210 | 20,109 | 29,132 |
| 2018 | 7,608 | 94.0% | 14,372 | 22,048 | 32,600 |
| 2017 | 6,831 | 94.3% | 15,496 | 24,430 | 35,912 |
| 2016 | 8,203 | 94.5% | 11,853 | 20,433 | 32,588 |
| 2015 | 10,235 | 94.2% | 15,404 | 25,574 | 39,830 |
| 2014 | 12,766 | 92.9% | 20,519 | 32,225 | 46,994 |
| 2013 | 9,680 | 92.7% | 22,762 | 34,902 | 50,076 |
| 2012 | 3,819 | 92.0% | 22,284 | 36,101 | 52,240 |
| 2011 | 7,312 | 91.2% | 24,263 | 37,741 | 54,477 |
| 2010 | 8,715 | 90.0% | 28,378 | 45,047 | 63,839 |
| 2009 | 11,330 | 89.8% | 28,580 | 44,262 | 64,589 |
| 2008 | 17,632 | 85.2% | 31,742 | 50,133 | 71,767 |
| 2007 | 29,854 | 85.1% | 33,046 | 52,736 | 74,714 |
| 2006 | 34,676 | 83.5% | 34,336 | 53,967 | 76,365 |
| 2005 | 4,161 | 81.9% | 36,575 | 56,072 | 78,041 |
How Long Does a Porsche Cayman Last?
Based on 18,218 Porsche Cayman vehicles on UK roads.
Porsche Cayman Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Porsche Cayman 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 Cayman
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.5% MOT pass rate from 144 tests
81.9% MOT pass rate from 4,161 tests
The best year to buy a used Porsche Cayman is 2023, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.5% across 144 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Porsche Cayman Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Cayman THIS CAR | 88.7% | 183,163 | 39,454 mi | 21 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 |
| Yamaha XJ600 | 80.6% | 74,677 | 24,826 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Porsche 911 (85.2% pass rate) and the Porsche Boxster (82.8% pass rate), the Porsche Cayman outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Porsche Cayman 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 CaymanShould you buy a used Porsche Cayman?
The Porsche Cayman has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.7% across 183,163 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 Cayman are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,565 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (1,354), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (490). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Porsche Cayman with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Porsche Cayman owner drives around 3,060 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 Cayman models stay on UK roads for around 21 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.