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Porsche Boxster 986 (1996-2004) reliability

At a glance

Porsche Boxster 986 built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Porsche Boxster 986 models built before 2000 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Porsche Boxster 986?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

22% of MOT tests on Porsche Boxster 986 models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Porsche Boxster 986 models built before 2000 involves the brakes.

Porsche Boxster 986
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings1996-2004ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 15,087 tests of Boxster models registered 1996-2004.

About 1 in 9 Boxster 986 MOTs (10.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,701 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 Boxster 986 MOTs (4.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 3,701 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

986 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
82819.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,87221.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,75022.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
2,44921.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
2,48721.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,70122.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

How the Boxster 986 compares

At each age below, see how the Boxster 986 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 18,498 tests across 6 Porsche models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail ratePorsche average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
82819.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,87221.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,75022.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
2,44921.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
2,48721.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,70122.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Boxster 986.

  1. 1

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 22.2% for the Porsche Boxster 986, both built before 2000.

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Triumph TR6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.9%, against 22.2% for the Porsche Boxster 986, both built before 2000.

    1,028 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Morgan 4/4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 22.2% for the Porsche Boxster 986, both built before 2000.

    1,071 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Triumph Stag

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 22.2% for the Porsche Boxster 986, both built before 2000.

    1,436 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

How many are still registered

98%of all Porsche Boxster cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · More than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

9 recalls in all

No recall notices match this build period.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Boxster 986 cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 670 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
52%
Emissions
46%
Drivetrain
5%
Steering
4%
Bodywork
2%

Wear items

Lighting
63%
Brakes
52%
Tyres
51%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 8% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Boxster tests (not specific to 986).

2.0 to 3.0 litres21.9%2,980 tests3.0 litres or more23.2%720 tests
How Boxster 986 cars have aged

How Boxster 986 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%1719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (1,764 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (1,696 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (1,708 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (1,664 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (1,575 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (1,947 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (1,817 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,779 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (1,684 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (1,613 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (1,716 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,654 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (1,566 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (1,413 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (1,383 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,666 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (1,604 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (1,479 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 20.9% (1,416 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (1,391 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (1,337 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (1,268 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (1,210 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (1,155 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (1,148 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (707 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (667 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (620 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (566 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (517 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (445 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (405 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (236 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (212 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002First registered around 2001
How each part holds up as 986 cars age

How each part holds up as 986 cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension38%51%47%48%
Brakes47%58%49%52%
Emissions35%37%34%27%
Tyres43%55%49%48%
Lighting51%60%57%55%
Drivetrain2%14%13%12%
BodyworkNo figure1%No figure1%
SteeringNo figure4%3%4%
Corrosion7%6%5%8%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 230 to 321 cars at each age.

986 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Porsche Boxsters of this age

This list covers every Porsche Boxster built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 986 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    20.8%
    Advisory: 1,313Fail: 116 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.1%
    Advisory: 561Fail: 9 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.1%
    Advisory: 817Fail: 94 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.8%
    Advisory: 779Fail: 2 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    10.9%
    Advisory: 650Fail: 47 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,701 tests

Looking at a Porsche Boxster 986?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Porsche Boxster 986 (1996-2004) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,701 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 15,087 MOT tests on Porsche Boxsters first registered between 1996-2004. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.