2007 Porsche Cayman — MOT failures & pass rate
7,945 MOT tests on the 2007 Porsche Cayman are in this dataset, and 85.5% of them passed. That is 7.2 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.2% of tests against 4.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 481 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.2% in the 0-30k band and 25.3% in the 150k+ band, a 20.1-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 649 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 323 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.5% | 281 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 262 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.3% | 182 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 136 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 481 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 313 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 238 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 216 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 117 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 109 |
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 | 24.5% | 1,945 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.9% | 1,426 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.9% | 788 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.9% | 783 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 427 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 305 |
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 | 344 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,021 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,385 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,709 | 20.6% |
| 120-150k | 402 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 79 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,646 | 14.3% |
| 2022 | 1,643 | 14.4% |
| 2023 | 1,606 | 15.1% |
| 2024 | 1,529 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 1,521 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Cayman
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.1% 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.
- Suspension (3.5% 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 2007 Porsche Caymans pass their MOT?
85.5% of the 7,945 2007 Porsche Cayman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Porsche Cayman?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by brakes (4.1%).
Does the 2007 Cayman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 25.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,945 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.