Used car guide

2013 Porsche Cayman: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Porsche Cayman first registered in 2013: we looked at the 1,042 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,042MOTs of 2013 cars, done in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
4,300typical miles a year
17%had tyres flagged

Common 2013 Porsche Cayman MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Porsche Cayman MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Brakes
    15% 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.

  • Suspension
    5% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    2% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2013 Porsche Cayman

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Paintwork quality

    All engines

    There are reports of paintwork quality problems. Engines are generally reliable if serviced and oil-changed on time.

    At the viewing: Look over the paint, and check the service history for regular oil changes.

    Source: What Car?: used Porsche Boxster (2012-2016) reliability

  • Roof and hard-use checks

    Boxster

    Check the folding hood works properly, and look for signs of hard use: black exhaust smoke, replaced panels and kerbed wheels.

    At the viewing: Open and close the roof, and look for smoke on start-up.

    Source: What Car?: used Porsche Boxster (2012-2016) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Porsche Cayman

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Porsche Cayman?

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 Cayman compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022477Tyres 13%
2021445Tyres 15%
2020440Tyres 18%
20191,002Tyres 19%
20181,195Tyres 17%
2017884Tyres 19%
20161,006Tyres 13%
20151,096Tyres 16%
20141,196Tyres 17%
2012345Brakes 15%
2011540Brakes 20%
2010530Brakes 25%
2009657Brakes 21%
2008853Brakes 25%
20071,388Brakes 26%
20061,449Brakes 30%
2005161Brakes 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Porsche Cayman cars first registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score