2015 Porsche Cayman — MOT failures & pass rate
5,729 MOT tests on the 2015 Porsche Cayman are in this dataset, and 95.3% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (11.9% fail rate), the 2015 Cayman comes out 7.2pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (1.9%) 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, registration plates and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 71 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 11.5% versus 2.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.9% | 108 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 67 |
| 3 | Suspension | 0.8% | 47 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 46 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 44 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 29 |
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 | 71 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 45 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 32 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 31 |
| 6 | Wipers | 29 |
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 | 12.0% | 689 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.9% | 453 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.4% | 138 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.3% | 133 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 125 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 73 |
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 | 2,801 | 2.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,452 | 6.2% |
| 60-90k | 419 | 9.6% |
| 90-120k | 52 | 11.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,161 | 4.0% |
| 2022 | 1,144 | 3.8% |
| 2023 | 1,167 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 1,119 | 5.9% |
| 2025 | 1,138 | 5.5% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Cayman
On a 2015 Cayman, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 1.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (1.9% 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.
- Suspension (0.8% 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.
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 2015 Porsche Caymans pass their MOT?
95.3% of the 5,729 2015 Porsche Cayman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Porsche Cayman?
Tyres, recorded in 1.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2015 Cayman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,729 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.