Used car guide

2006 Porsche Boxster: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Porsche Boxsters, from 1,848 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,848MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
3,900typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Porsche Boxsters than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Steering rack inner joints1.8× usual
    Porsche Boxster
    7.1% All 2006 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Headlights: 2.9% here, against 14.3% of all 2006 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.7% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Porsche Boxster MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    27% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    19% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    16% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Steering
    8% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019885Tyres 17%
20181,010Tyres 17%
2017986Tyres 20%
20161,232Tyres 17%
20151,080Tyres 17%
20141,202Tyres 17%
20131,256Tyres 17%
20121,099Tyres 20%
2011777Brakes 19%
2010811Brakes 18%
2009859Brakes 20%
20081,049Brakes 23%
20071,568Brakes 25%
20053,214Brakes 30%
20041,997Brakes 30%
20032,380Brakes 33%
20022,091Brakes 32%
20012,024Brakes 34%
20001,853Brakes 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Porsche Boxsters registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score