2014 Porsche Cayman: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Porsche Cayman?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Porsche Cayman than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
  Porsche Cayman

  6.5% All 2014 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2014 Porsche Cayman MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Porsche Cayman MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  18% 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
  13% 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.

• 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• 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 2014 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 2014 Porsche Cayman

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2014 Porsche Cayman as on other cars the same age.)
2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?