2010 Porsche Cayman — MOT failures & pass rate
2,920 MOT tests on the 2010 Porsche Cayman are in this dataset, and 90.6% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (19.2% fail rate), the 2010 Cayman comes out 9.8pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (2.8%) and suspension (2.8%) 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 tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 70 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 10.4% once past 120-150k — 2.5× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 2.8% | 83 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.8% | 81 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 80 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.7% | 79 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 38 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 24 |
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 | 70 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 57 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 50 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 48 |
| 5 | Wipers | 39 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 34 |
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 | 24.3% | 708 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.2% | 443 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.3% | 271 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 143 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 89 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 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 | 265 | 4.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,180 | 6.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,070 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 343 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 10.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 597 | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 586 | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 573 | 9.1% |
| 2024 | 587 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 577 | 10.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Cayman
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 2.8% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (2.8% 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.
- Suspension (2.8% 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.
- 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.
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 2010 Porsche Caymans pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 2,920 2010 Porsche Cayman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Porsche Cayman?
Brakes, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by suspension (2.8%).
Does the 2010 Cayman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 0-30k band to 10.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,920 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.