1999 Porsche Boxster MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 72.4% of Porsche Boxsters first used in 1999 passed their MOT first time, against 64.6% for all cars first used in 1999. Across 3,133 Boxster first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, noise, emissions and leaks and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Porsche Boxsters first used in 1999 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
72.4%
of 1,007 first tests; all cars first used in 1999: 64.6%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,133
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,007 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
37.4%
of 1,007 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
93,000
middle half: 71,000–114,500 miles; all cars first used in 1999: 98,000

How the 1999 Porsche Boxster MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Boxsters first used in 1999 against all cars first used in 1999 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Boxster figure was 7.8 points higher.

1999 BoxsterAll cars first used in 1999
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1999, test year 2021: 58.5%All cars first used in 1999, test year 2022: 60.7%All cars first used in 1999, test year 2023: 62.5%All cars first used in 1999, test year 2024: 63.2%All cars first used in 1999, test year 2025: 64.6%1999 Boxster, test year 2021: 70.7%1999 Boxster, test year 2022: 71.3%1999 Boxster, test year 2023: 72.3%1999 Boxster, test year 2024: 72.3%1999 Boxster, test year 2025: 72.4%72.4%64.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year1999 BoxsterAll cars first used 1999Boxster first tests
202170.7%58.5%1,152
202271.3%60.7%1,166
202372.3%62.5%1,089
202472.3%63.2%1,037
202572.4%64.6%1,007

Common 1999 Porsche Boxster MOT failures

Share of the 867 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment43.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks38.1%
Brakes25.5%
Suspension21.5%
Visibility14.0%
Tyres13.7%
Body, chassis, structure11.6%
Steering5.2%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits25.4%220
Position lamp: not working9.3%81
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.0%78
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect8.9%77
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively6.9%60

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 1999 Porsche Boxster before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 1999 Porsche Boxster MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1999 Boxsters, as a share of all 3,133 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material17.4%544
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive13.1%409
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened11.7%365
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.6%331
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.7%273

Questions about the 1999 Porsche Boxster MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1999 Porsche Boxster?

In 2025, 72.4% of Boxsters first used in 1999 passed their MOT first time, against 64.6% for all cars first used in 1999. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 1999 Boxster most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 43.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (38.1%) and brakes (25.5%). The single most common item was “Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits” (25.4%).

How often does a 1999 Porsche Boxster fail its MOT?

In 2025, 27.6% of first tests on Boxsters first used in 1999 did not pass first time: 25.1% failed, and a further 2.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 867 of 3,133 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1999 Porsche Boxster MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 17.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (13.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.7%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (10.6%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (8.7%).

Is a 1999 Porsche Boxster reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 70.7% in 2021 to 72.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1999

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

1999 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1999 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1999 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1999 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1999 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics

How the 1999 Porsche Boxster MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “1999 Boxster” means a Porsche Boxster whose date of first use falls in 1999 (S, T and V plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 1999, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.