1998 Porsche Boxster · 3,144 MOT tests
1998 Porsche Boxster reliability
1998 Porsche Boxsters fail 29.3% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 23 Boxster years (3,144 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Porsche Boxsters: 16.4%)
- 29.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche Boxsters: 16.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 91,990
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,144
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 9.3% of tests fail here (28% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Porsche Boxster
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.3%
- Suspension6.9%
- Brakes6.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%
- Tyres3.6%
- Body, chassis and structure2.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.96%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Horn not working 2.32%
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.26%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 2.23%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.97%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.65%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.38%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.68%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.24%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.44%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.74%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (5.79%)
Other years
Every Porsche Boxster year
The full picture: Porsche Boxster reliability. Before you pay for any Porsche Boxster, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Porsche Boxster reliable?
1998 Porsche Boxsters fail 29.3% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 23 Boxster years (3,144 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Porsche Boxster MOT?
Most often lambda reading outside specified limits (4.96% of tests), horn not working (2.32% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.26% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Porsche Boxster have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Porsche Boxster shows 91,990 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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