Porsche Boxster Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Porsche Boxster passes its MOT first time on 81.1% of tests, 14.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.2%). That puts it ahead of 98% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2005 Boxster does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2002 worst (beats 94%).

Of its engines, the 3.4 Petrol does best (beats 100%) and the 2.5 Petrol worst (beats 90%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Porsche BoxsterTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 84%

Beats 83%

Beats 89%

Beats 94%

Beats 94%

Beats 94%

Beats 95%

Beats 97%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	1999–2016	107,583	79.5%	Beats 98%	A
3.2 Petrol	2000–2006	73,942	75.7%	Beats 97%	A
3.4 Petrol	2006–2016	42,272	89.9%	Beats 100%	A
2.5 Petrol	1997–2019	28,248	78.5%	Beats 90%	A
2.0 Petrol	2016–2019	13,688	93.4%	Beats 99%	A
2.9 Petrol	2009–2011	10,504	89.5%	Beats 100%	A
3.8 Petrol	2016–2016	1,075	96.4%	Beats 100%	A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 4.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

7.3% vs 14.7%

Suspension

4.4% vs 11.4%

Brakes

4.4% vs 9.1%

Emissions & leaks

4.2% vs 4.6%

Tyres

3.3% vs 5.6%

Visibility

2.4% vs 6.2%

Body & structure

1.8% vs 5.7%

Steering

0.8% vs 2.4%

Seat belts & airbags

0.5% vs 1.9%

Wheels

0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 1.5× typical
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Headlight bulbs & units
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Porsche BoxsterTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)	3.1%	2.0%	1.5×
Headlight aim	2.3%	4.2%	0.6×
Brake pipes	2.0%	1.8%	1.1×
Tyre damage & cracking	1.8%	3.2%	0.6×
Coil springs	1.8%	2.4%	0.8×
Sidelights	1.5%	3.3%	0.5×
Headlight bulbs & units	1.4%	2.8%	0.5×
Windscreen wipers	1.3%	3.2%	0.4×
Tyre tread depth	1.3%	2.1%	0.6×
Brake lights	1.2%	3.2%	0.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer	26.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	22.9
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	17.9
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded	16.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	13.1
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	12.2
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	11.9
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	11.8

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2019 Porsche Boxster2 engines94.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	2,944	94.4%	Beats 99%	A
2.5 Petrol	1,464	94.3%	Beats 99%	A

2018 Porsche Boxster2 engines94.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	3,459	93.6%	Beats 99%	A
2.5 Petrol	2,605	94.5%	Beats 100%	A

2017 Porsche Boxster2 engines93.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	3,953	93.4%	Beats 99%	A
2.5 Petrol	2,823	93.8%	Beats 99%	A

2016 Porsche Boxster5 engines93.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	3,332	92.5%	Beats 99%	A
2.5 Petrol	2,347	93.8%	Beats 100%	A
2.7 Petrol	1,742	93.3%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	1,244	94.9%	Beats 100%	A
3.8 Petrol	1,075	96.4%	Beats 100%	A

2015 Porsche Boxster2 engines93.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	5,334	92.5%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	3,511	94.2%	Beats 100%	A

2014 Porsche Boxster2 engines92.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	6,214	92.1%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	4,420	94.1%	Beats 100%	A

2013 Porsche Boxster2 engines91.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	6,294	91.3%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	4,994	92.8%	Beats 100%	A

2012 Porsche Boxster2 engines90.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.4 Petrol	5,064	91.5%	Beats 100%	A
2.7 Petrol	4,559	89.6%	Beats 100%	A

2011 Porsche Boxster2 engines90.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.9 Petrol	3,442	89.1%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	3,352	91.0%	Beats 100%	A

2010 Porsche Boxster2 engines90.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.9 Petrol	3,536	90.1%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	3,224	90.5%	Beats 100%	A

2009 Porsche Boxster2 engines89.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.9 Petrol	3,526	89.4%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	3,243	89.6%	Beats 100%	A

2008 Porsche Boxster2 engines85.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	5,142	85.1%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	4,501	86.4%	Beats 100%	A

2007 Porsche Boxster2 engines83.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	7,955	83.9%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	6,405	83.8%	Beats 100%	A

2006 Porsche Boxster3 engines81.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	10,204	80.6%	Beats 99%	A
3.2 Petrol	4,554	81.0%	Beats 99%	A
3.4 Petrol	2,314	84.2%	Beats 100%	A

2005 Porsche Boxster2 engines80.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	14,930	81.1%	Beats 99%	A
2.7 Petrol	14,612	79.1%	Beats 99%	A

2004 Porsche Boxster2 engines74.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Petrol	9,426	72.3%	Beats 94%	A
3.2 Petrol	9,379	77.1%	Beats 98%	A

2003 Porsche Boxster2 engines72.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	12,016	73.4%	Beats 95%	A
2.7 Petrol	10,607	72.0%	Beats 94%	A

2002 Porsche Boxster2 engines71.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	11,534	72.4%	Beats 94%	A
2.7 Petrol	8,595	70.7%	Beats 93%	A

2001 Porsche Boxster2 engines72.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	11,746	73.0%	Beats 95%	A
2.7 Petrol	7,983	70.8%	Beats 92%	A

2000 Porsche Boxster2 engines73.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	9,783	73.4%	Beats 94%	A
2.7 Petrol	7,506	72.5%	Beats 94%	A

1999 Porsche Boxster2 engines71.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Petrol	7,941	71.5%	Beats 89%	A
2.7 Petrol	1,410	70.7%	Beats 88%	A

1998 Porsche Boxster1 engine70.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Petrol	7,275	70.2%	Beats 83%	A

1997 Porsche Boxster1 engine71.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Petrol	3,793	71.3%	Beats 84%	A

FAQ

What is the Porsche Boxster MOT pass rate?

81.1% of MOT tests on the Porsche Boxster were passed first time, based on 277,312 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1997–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.2% of the time.

Is the Porsche Boxster reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 98% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Porsche Boxster year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2005 Boxster does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2002 does worst: it beats 94%.

Which Porsche Boxster engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.4 Petrol does best: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2.5 Petrol does worst: it beats 90%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Porsche Boxster?

The most common failure items are exhaust emissions (catalyst), headlight aim, brake pipes. Compared with similar cars, exhaust emissions (catalyst) comes up 1.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Porsche Boxster reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ