2008 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,941 MOT tests, the 2008 Porsche Boxster recorded an 89.5% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.1% fail rate), the 2008 Boxster comes out 10.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.9%) and tyres (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 145 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.4% in the 0-30k band and 28.1% in the 150k+ band, a 23.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 22.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 292 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.7% | 158 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 140 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.3% | 138 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 108 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.4% | 81 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 145 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 112 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 101 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 84 |
| 5 | Wipers | 70 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 70 |
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 | 22.2% | 1,321 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.8% | 1,055 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.3% | 610 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.7% | 518 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 273 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 218 |
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 | 549 | 4.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,411 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,147 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 675 | 15.1% |
| 120-150k | 127 | 13.4% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,254 | 10.4% |
| 2022 | 1,200 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 1,167 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 1,180 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 1,140 | 10.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Boxster
On a 2008 Boxster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.4% 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 2008 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 5,941 2008 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Porsche Boxster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by tyres (2.7%).
Does the 2008 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,941 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.