2006 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,711 MOT tests, the 2006 Porsche Boxster recorded an 85.8% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.0% fail rate), the 2006 Boxster comes out 7.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.1%) and suspension (4.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, coil spring and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 381 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 23.3% in the 150k+ band, a 17.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 541 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.6% | 491 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 411 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 328 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.4% | 254 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 215 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 381 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 308 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 281 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 249 |
| 5 | Wipers | 195 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 129 |
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 | 26.3% | 2,813 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.7% | 2,003 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.2% | 1,202 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.4% | 1,011 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 621 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 582 |
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 | 597 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 3,038 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,292 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,139 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 478 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 163 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,248 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 2,177 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 2,151 | 13.8% |
| 2024 | 2,087 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 2,048 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Boxster
On a 2006 Boxster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.6% 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.
- Brakes (3.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2006 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 10,711 2006 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Porsche Boxster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by suspension (4.6%).
Does the 2006 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,711 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.