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Porsche Cayman reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present3 named generationsCoupePETROL

We've only got 1,235 MOT tests for Porsche Caymans built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Porsche Cayman built around 2018: fails its MOT less often than average

Porsche Caymans built around 2018 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Porsche Cayman by number plate

Key figure

6% of MOT tests on Porsche Caymans built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 13% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Porsche Caymans built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Porsche Cayman's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Cayman's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Cayman 982c (718)

982c (718) (2016-present)

Excellent
PETROL

5.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,235 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Cayman 981c

981c (2013-2015)

Excellent
PETROL

7.8% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 1,193 MOT tests at this ageView details →
9

987c (2005-2012)

Excellent
PETROL

8.4% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Likely between 6.3% and 11.0%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 536 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Porsche Cayman.

See every build year for the Porsche Cayman

Side-by-side

Porsche Cayman generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
982c (718) (2016-present)
Excellent
Excellent5.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,235 MOT tests at this age
981c (2013-2015)
Excellent
Excellent7.8%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 1,193 MOT tests at this age
987c (2005-2012)
Excellent
Excellent8.4%likely between 6.3% and 11.0%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 536 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Cayman, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Porsche Cayman fail rate by age

This chart combines every Porsche Cayman ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
4884.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
5284.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
6904.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,0886.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,2355.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
8807.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,2345.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,1937.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,3428.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
6207.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5368.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
56711.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
64512.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
81516.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,38017.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,62717.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,13317.5%

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 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Porsche Caymans

These issues come from 7-year-old Porsche Caymans, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    10.8%
    Advisory: 213Fail: 25 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.1%
    Advisory: 148Fail: 11 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    3.2%
    Advisory: 67Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    1.8%
    Advisory: 35Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    1.5%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,235 MOT tests on 7-year-old Porsche Caymans, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Porsche Caymans notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers20%
  3. Other + Tyres18%
  4. Suspension + Tyres12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 84 MOT tests on Porsche Cayman cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About 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

10 recalls in all

All 10 Porsche Cayman recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 recalls

Top concerns

  • ARA7 recall campaign - replace shift cable
  • On affected vehicles the rear spoiler setting may not meet specifications due to incorrect coding during production maki
  • Rear axle carrier side parts may not meet required specifications

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Mustang

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    5.3%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,337 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Scirocco

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman on these figures.

    3,040 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,811 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Porsche Cayman across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 6 Porsche models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,235 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Porsche Cayman ever sold: 16,001 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,235 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.