2003 Porsche Boxster · 9,103 MOT tests
2003 Porsche Boxster reliability
2003 Porsche Boxsters fail 25.3% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 23 Boxster years (9,103 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Porsche Boxsters: 16.4%)
- 25.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche Boxsters: 16.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 79,845
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,103
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 7.8% of tests fail here (20% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 63% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Porsche Boxster
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.8%
- Brakes6.1%
- Suspension5.6%
- Body, chassis and structure3.4%
- Tyres3.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.8%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Position lamp not working 2.34%
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 2.27%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.19%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.48%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.3%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.82%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.93%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.79%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.62%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (4.05%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (2.89%)
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 2003 Porsche Boxster reliable?
2003 Porsche Boxsters fail 25.3% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 23 Boxster years (9,103 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Porsche Boxster MOT?
Most often lambda reading outside specified limits (4.8% of tests), position lamp not working (2.34% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.27% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Porsche Boxster have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Porsche Boxster shows 79,845 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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