Used car guide

2003 Porsche Cayenne: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Porsche Cayennes, from 452 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 452 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

452MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,600typical miles a year
34%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2003 Porsche Cayenne MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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
    25% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Porsche Cayenne?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023133Tyres 13%
20222,433Tyres 19%
20211,577Tyres 20%
20202,361Tyres 22%
20193,228Tyres 22%
20181,835Tyres 21%
20171,767Tyres 23%
20162,790Tyres 22%
20152,334Tyres 23%
20141,857Tyres 25%
20132,158Tyres 24%
20121,915Tyres 24%
20111,199Tyres 26%
2010856Tyres 25%
2009796Lights and electrics 27%
2008561Lights and electrics 26%
2007664Lights and electrics 30%
2006822Suspension 29%
20051,188Suspension 32%
2004944Lights and electrics 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Porsche Cayennes registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score