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Porsche Cayman reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 108,978 MOT tests of cars first registered 2005–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
88.1%pass first time
+14.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 100%of cars
108,978MOT tests

Verdict

The Porsche Cayman passes its MOT first time on 88.1% of tests, 14.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (74.0%). That puts it ahead of 100% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 Cayman does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 2006 worst (beats 99%).

Of its engines, the 3.4 Petrol does best (beats 100%) and the 2.7 Petrol worst (beats 99%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Number plates1.8×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.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192093%94%94%92%88%83%82%79%80%
Porsche CaymanTypical 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.

2005
Beats 99%
2006
Beats 99%
2007
Beats 99%
2008
Beats 99%
2009
Beats 100%
2010
Beats 100%
2011
Beats 100%
2012
Beats 100%
2013
Beats 100%
2014
Beats 100%
2015
Beats 100%
2016
Beats 100%
2017
Beats 100%
2018
Beats 99%
2019
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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol2005–201646,65686.0%Beats 100%A
2.7 Petrol2006–201629,79586.1%Beats 99%A
2.0 Petrol2016–201911,11093.3%Beats 99%A
2.9 Petrol2009–20128,52789.2%Beats 100%A
2.5 Petrol2017–20198,42194.2%Beats 100%A
3.8 Petrol2015–20164,46996.3%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.

Exhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.5% 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.Suspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.9 ptsTyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.3 ptsBrakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.4 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.8 ptsExhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.5% 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.Exhaust+1.0 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.5% 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.Lights: 4.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.9 ptsTyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.3 ptsBrakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.4 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.8 ptsExhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.5% 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.Exhaust+1.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.5% 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
4.2% vs 10.1%
Tyres
2.9% vs 5.2%
Brakes
2.3% vs 5.7%
Suspension
2.0% vs 7.9%
Emissions & leaks
1.5% vs 2.5%
Visibility
1.3% vs 4.7%
Steering
0.5% vs 1.4%
Body & structure
0.5% vs 3.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.8%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k97%94%89%84%80%75%74%
Porsche CaymanTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights1.6%2.2%0.7×
Tyre damage & cracking1.6%3.1%0.5×
Headlight aim1.3%2.9%0.5×
Tyre tread depth1.2%1.8%0.6×
Brake pipes1.0%0.8%1.2×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.0%0.9%1.1×
Coil springs0.8%2.3%0.3×
Windscreen wipers0.7%2.4%0.3×
Windscreen washers0.5%2.0%0.3×
Number plates0.5%0.3%1.8×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning13.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements11.6
A tyre seriously damaged11.0
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded8.4
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened8.0
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer7.8
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.2
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 Cayman2 engines94.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,32693.7%Beats 98%A
2.5 Petrol1,61995.4%Beats 100%A
2018 Porsche Cayman2 engines93.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol4,01993.8%Beats 99%A
2.0 Petrol3,28993.3%Beats 99%A
2017 Porsche Cayman2 engines93.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,35693.4%Beats 99%A
2.5 Petrol2,78394.1%Beats 100%A
2016 Porsche Cayman4 engines94.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.8 Petrol2,75096.4%Beats 100%A
2.7 Petrol1,69990.9%Beats 98%A
3.4 Petrol1,50795.4%Beats 100%A
2.0 Petrol1,13992.0%Beats 99%A
2015 Porsche Cayman3 engines93.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Petrol4,07091.8%Beats 99%A
3.4 Petrol3,94495.0%Beats 100%A
3.8 Petrol1,71996.1%Beats 100%A
2014 Porsche Cayman2 engines92.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Petrol5,73792.1%Beats 100%A
3.4 Petrol4,89693.2%Beats 100%A
2013 Porsche Cayman2 engines92.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol4,72093.3%Beats 100%A
2.7 Petrol4,55791.0%Beats 100%A
2012 Porsche Cayman2 engines92.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Petrol1,88390.8%Beats 100%A
3.4 Petrol1,17493.9%Beats 100%A
2011 Porsche Cayman2 engines89.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol2,83991.4%Beats 100%A
2.9 Petrol2,01187.8%Beats 100%A
2010 Porsche Cayman2 engines88.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol2,42087.1%Beats 100%A
2.9 Petrol2,22589.2%Beats 100%A
2009 Porsche Cayman2 engines87.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol3,14687.0%Beats 100%A
2.9 Petrol2,40889.2%Beats 100%A
2008 Porsche Cayman2 engines80.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Petrol4,41279.4%Beats 99%A
3.4 Petrol3,58582.3%Beats 99%A
2007 Porsche Cayman2 engines80.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Petrol6,93880.4%Beats 99%A
3.4 Petrol5,84279.7%Beats 99%A
2006 Porsche Cayman2 engines78.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol11,08978.2%Beats 99%A
2.7 Petrol2,38278.1%Beats 99%A
2005 Porsche Cayman1 engine77.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.4 Petrol1,49477.7%Beats 99%A

FAQ

What is the Porsche Cayman MOT pass rate?

88.1% of MOT tests on the Porsche Cayman were passed first time, based on 108,978 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2005–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 74.0% of the time.

Is the Porsche Cayman 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 100% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Porsche Cayman year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 Cayman does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2006 does worst: it beats 99%.

Which Porsche Cayman engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.4 Petrol does best: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2.7 Petrol does worst: it beats 99%.

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

The most common failure items are sidelights, tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, number plates comes up 1.8× 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.