Used car guide

2008 Porsche Boxster: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Porsche Boxster first registered in 2008: we looked at the 3,177 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,177MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
86%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
3,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Porsche Boxster?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Porsche Boxster than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.2× usual
    Porsche Boxster
    5.9% All 2008 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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

Tread depth: 10.5% here, against 22.8% of all 2008 cars. Coil springs: 1.9% here, against 11.4% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Porsche Boxster MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Porsche Boxster MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    20% 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
    12% 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
    10% 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
    6% 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
    5% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Porsche Boxster

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 Porsche Boxster as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Porsche Boxster?

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

Other years

Every year of the Porsche Boxster compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022281Tyres 14%
2021543Tyres 12%
20201,324Tyres 18%
20192,636Tyres 19%
20183,020Tyres 18%
20172,949Tyres 20%
20163,637Tyres 18%
20153,166Tyres 15%
20143,540Tyres 17%
20133,759Tyres 18%
20123,277Tyres 18%
20112,297Brakes 17%
20102,386Brakes 19%
20092,509Brakes 19%
20074,757Brakes 24%
20065,567Brakes 28%
20059,689Brakes 29%
20046,148Brakes 31%
20037,285Brakes 34%
20026,395Brakes 32%
20016,193Brakes 34%
20005,643Brakes 33%
19993,126Brakes 32%
19982,279Brakes 32%
19971,163Brakes 31%
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Porsche Boxster cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score