2011 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
4,060 MOT tests on the 2011 Porsche Boxster are in this dataset, and 91.8% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 17.9% of the time, so this is 9.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.7%) and tyres (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 87 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.2% in the 0-30k band and 18.8% in the 120-150k band, a 14.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 16.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 109 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.5% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.8% | 74 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.7% | 69 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.2% | 48 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 18 |
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 | 87 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 57 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 56 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 33 |
| 5 | Wipers | 33 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 30 |
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 | 16.0% | 651 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.1% | 613 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 251 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.3% | 173 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 107 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 89 |
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 | 787 | 4.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,168 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 935 | 10.2% |
| 90-120k | 129 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 817 | 7.3% |
| 2022 | 809 | 7.9% |
| 2023 | 810 | 7.4% |
| 2024 | 801 | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 823 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Boxster
On a 2011 Boxster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (2.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.5% 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 (1.8% 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 2011 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
91.8% of the 4,060 2011 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Porsche Boxster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.7% of tests, followed by tyres (2.5%).
Does the 2011 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,060 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.