2013 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,724 MOT tests, the 2013 Porsche Boxster recorded a 93.6% pass rate. That is 8.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 14.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.3%) and lighting & signalling (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and coil spring — tread depth alone was recorded 83 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 11.3% versus 4.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.3% | 155 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 145 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.3% | 86 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 73 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 60 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 83 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 80 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 63 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 60 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 56 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 52 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.9% | 1,005 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 757 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.8% | 185 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 183 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.0% | 132 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 109 |
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 | 2,055 | 4.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,474 | 6.5% |
| 60-90k | 998 | 9.7% |
| 90-120k | 160 | 11.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,361 | 5.4% |
| 2022 | 1,353 | 7.2% |
| 2023 | 1,348 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 1,343 | 7.3% |
| 2025 | 1,319 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Boxster
On a 2013 Boxster, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.3% 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 2013 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
93.6% of the 6,724 2013 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Porsche Boxster?
Tyres, recorded in 2.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.2%).
Does the 2013 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 0-30k band to 11.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,724 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.