2001 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,721 MOT tests, the 2001 Porsche Boxster recorded an 80.3% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 2.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.1% of tests against 6.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 793 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.0% in the 0-30k band and 25.8% in the 150k+ band, a 18.8-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 1,285 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 775 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 738 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.7% | 728 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 514 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 492 |
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 | 793 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 702 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 568 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 555 |
| 5 | Joints | 422 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 348 |
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 | 33.6% | 4,272 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.9% | 2,274 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.9% | 2,149 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 1,524 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 988 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 890 |
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 | 384 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,331 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,498 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,864 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,235 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 403 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,714 | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 2,703 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 2,543 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 2,406 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 2,355 | 19.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Boxster
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (5.8% 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.
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 2001 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
80.3% of the 12,721 2001 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Porsche Boxster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (6.1%).
Does the 2001 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,721 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.