2020 Porsche Boxster — MOT failures & pass rate
1,426 MOT tests on the 2020 Porsche Boxster are in this dataset, and 94.7% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 8.2% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and lighting & signalling (1.2%) 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 washers — tread depth alone was recorded 28 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 52 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 17 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.8% | 11 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.4% | 5 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 3 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 3 | Washers | 11 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 5 | Emissions not tested | 2 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
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 | 15.0% | 214 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.4% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.0% | 28 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 22 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 5 |
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 | 1,239 | 4.6% |
| 30-60k | 181 | 9.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 467 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 446 | 3.8% |
| 2025 | 480 | 5.6% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Boxster
On a 2020 Boxster, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.6% 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 (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2020 Porsche Boxsters pass their MOT?
94.7% of the 1,426 2020 Porsche Boxster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Porsche Boxster?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2020 Boxster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.6% in the 0-30k band to 9.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,426 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.