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Porsche Cayman 981c (2013-2015) reliability

At a glance

Porsche Cayman 981c built around 2015: fails its MOT less often than average

Porsche Cayman 981c models built around 2015 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Porsche Cayman 981c?

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

Key figure

8% of MOT tests on Porsche Cayman 981c models built around 2015 ended in a fail (retests included), against 17% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Porsche Cayman 981c models built around 2015 involves the tyres.

Porsche Cayman 981c
excellent reliability2013-2015CoupePETROL

Based on 3,613 tests of Cayman models registered 2013-2015.

About 1 in 30 Cayman 981c MOTs (3.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2015 (10 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,193 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 50 Cayman 981c MOTs (2.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2015 (10 years old).

Based on 1,193 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

981c fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
5665.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,1937.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,3428.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5128.2%

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 11 years old.

How the Cayman 981c compares

At each age below, see how the Cayman 981c holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 10,537 tests across 6 Porsche models, built around 2015 (10 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail ratePorsche average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
5665.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,1937.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,3428.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5128.2%

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.

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.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Cayman 981c.

  1. 1

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman 981c on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,414 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  2. 2

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 2.0%, against 3.2% for the Porsche Cayman 981c.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Scirocco

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    7.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman 981c on these figures.

    6,132 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  4. 4

    Peugeot RCZ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Porsche Cayman 981c on these figures.

    1,615 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

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.

How many are still registered

93%of all Porsche Cayman 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% · 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

8 recalls in all

3 of the 8 Cayman 981c recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Rear axle carrier side parts may not meet required specifications
  • Air bag control unit may have been installed with a faulty capacitor
  • Bonnet catch assembly may fail

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Cayman tests (not specific to 981c).

2.0 to 3.0 litres9.3%594 tests3.0 litres or more6.3%599 tests
How Cayman 981c cars have aged

How Cayman 981c 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.

0%6789101112Age at MOTBuilt around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 4.6% (650 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 5.1% (633 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 5.7% (634 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 7.0% (600 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 7.1% (605 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 5.9% (734 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 5.5% (743 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 7.7% (732 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (705 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (716 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 7.3% (604 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 7.2% (570 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (543 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (523 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (512 tests, 2025 data)2013
First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
981c variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Porsche Caymans of this age

This list covers every Porsche Cayman built around 2015, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 981c on its own.

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

    11.0%
    Advisory: 185Fail: 28 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.5%
    Advisory: 130Fail: 8 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    5.6%
    Advisory: 117Fail: 8 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    4.4%
    Advisory: 80Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    2.3%
    Advisory: 29Fail: 2 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,193 tests

Looking at a Porsche Cayman 981c?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2015 (10 years old), the Porsche Cayman 981c (2013-2015) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,193 10-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 3,613 MOT tests on Porsche Caymans first registered between 2013-2015. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.