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Porsche Cayman S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Porsche Cayman S car check

Is the Porsche Cayman S reliable? We analysed 2,556 real MOT tests across 234 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,556 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.5%
Typical Mileage
49,588mi
Annual Mileage
2,830mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Porsche Cayman S 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 S.

Porsche Cayman S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Porsche Cayman S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Porsche Cayman S MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Porsche Cayman S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

91.8%
2013
89.2%
2011
90.3%
2009
90.5%
2008
82.3%
2007
83.3%
2006
87.8%
2005

Porsche Cayman S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Porsche Cayman S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 26
position lamp(s) not working 17
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 15
coil spring broken 10
brake disc excessively pitted 9
Headlamp aim too high 8
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 8

Porsche Cayman S Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Porsche Cayman S models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 24

Porsche Cayman S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Porsche Cayman S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,279 mi/yr
Typical
2,830 mi/yr
Average
3,874 mi/yr
Heavy usage
5,099 mi/yr

Porsche Cayman S MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Porsche Cayman S year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 388 91.8% 20,708 33,591 52,422
2011 83 89.2% 25,176 38,258 51,868
2009 93 90.3% 22,652 50,631 82,773
2008 169 90.5% 20,829 33,973 58,157
2007 390 82.3% 45,096 65,424 79,443
2006 921 83.3% 31,570 52,613 77,932
2005 115 87.8% 36,844 51,204 68,618

How Long Does a Porsche Cayman S Last?

Based on 234 Porsche Cayman S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.7 years
Median
14.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Porsche Cayman S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Porsche Cayman S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
49,588 mi
75th Percentile
72,353 mi
95th Percentile
104,600 mi
Max Recorded
771,083 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Porsche Cayman S

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2013

91.8% MOT pass rate from 388 tests

Year to avoid
2007

82.3% MOT pass rate from 390 tests

The best year to buy a used Porsche Cayman S is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.8% across 388 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.3% — 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 S Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Porsche Cayman S THIS CAR 86.5% 2,556 49,588 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
Opel Zafira Elegance 16V 69.2% 3,179 83,021 mi 26 yrs

Compared to the Porsche 911 (85.2% pass rate) and the Porsche Boxster (82.8% pass rate), the Porsche Cayman S outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Porsche Cayman S?

The Porsche Cayman S has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.5% across 2,556 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 S are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (26 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (17), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (15). 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 S 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 S owner drives around 2,830 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 S 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.

Porsche Cayman S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Porsche Cayman S reliable?
Based on 2,556 MOT tests, the Porsche Cayman S has a 86.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Porsche Cayman S?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working, and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Porsche Cayman S do per year?
The typical Porsche Cayman S does around 2,830 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Porsche Cayman S last?
Most Porsche Cayman S models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 234 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Porsche Cayman S?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Porsche Cayman S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Porsche Cayman S is 2013 with a 91.8% pass rate across 388 tests.