2000 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
11,469 MOT tests on the 2000 Porsche Boxster are in this dataset, and 80.1% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.3% of the time, so this is 2.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.0% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 768 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.0% in the 0-30k band and 24.1% in the 150k+ band, a 15.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 1,151 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 711 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 689 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.6% | 647 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 371 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 371 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 768 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 544 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 540 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 343 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 313 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 309 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.3% | 3,701 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.5% | 2,125 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.6% | 2,023 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 1,163 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 876 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 779 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 312 | 9.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,824 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,062 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,530 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,410 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 303 | 24.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,452 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 2,391 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 2,312 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 2,160 | 19.0% |
| 2025 | 2,154 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Boxster
On a 2000 Boxster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (6.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 11,469 2000 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Porsche Boxster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.2%).
Does the 2000 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.0% in the 0-30k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,469 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.