2013 Porsche Cayman — MOT failures & pass rate
4,823 MOT tests on the 2013 Porsche Cayman are in this dataset, and 93.2% of them passed. That is 7.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 14.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.1%) and lighting & signalling (2.1%) 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 wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 3.8% in the 0-30k band and 11.8% in the 120-150k band, a 8.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.1% | 103 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 69 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 68 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 59 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 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 | 82 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 3 | Wipers | 51 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 48 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 40 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 35 |
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 | 13.8% | 665 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.4% | 647 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.0% | 145 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.8% | 137 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 118 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 92 |
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 | 1,063 | 3.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,668 | 6.3% |
| 60-90k | 911 | 10.9% |
| 90-120k | 141 | 10.6% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 970 | 5.4% |
| 2022 | 952 | 5.5% |
| 2023 | 976 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 956 | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 969 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Cayman
On a 2013 Cayman, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.1% 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 (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.4% 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 2013 Porsche Caymans pass their MOT?
93.2% of the 4,823 2013 Porsche Cayman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Porsche Cayman?
Tyres, recorded in 2.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.1%).
Does the 2013 Cayman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,823 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.