2004 Porsche Boxster · 7,668 MOT tests
2004 Porsche Boxster reliability
2004 Porsche Boxsters fail 24.3% of first MOT tests, 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 23 Boxster years (7,668 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2004 Porsche Boxster?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche Boxsters: 16.4%)
- 24.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Porsche Boxsters: 16.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 39% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 75,746
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 7,668
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 8.3% of tests fail here (34% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 67% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Porsche Boxster
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.3%
- Brakes6.2%
- Suspension5%
- Tyres3.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%
- Body, chassis and structure2.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Lambda reading outside specified limits 5.15%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.31%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.24%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Position lamp not working 2.1%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.62%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.4%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.49%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.08%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.24%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.73%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (4.07%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (2.52%)
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 2004 Porsche Boxster reliable?
2004 Porsche Boxsters fail 24.3% of first MOT tests, 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 23 Boxster years (7,668 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Porsche Boxster MOT?
Most often lambda reading outside specified limits (5.15% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.31% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.24% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Porsche Boxster have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Porsche Boxster shows 75,746 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Check a 2004 Porsche Boxster free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.