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Common problems by part

Porsche Cayman steering problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 4,566 MOT tests · Updated

At 16 years, 1.3 in 100 MOT tests of the Porsche Cayman failed on steering, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,566 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 61 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 13 ages from 5 to 19 years, 44,640 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, 0.5 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

1.3 fails per 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 16 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

Porsche Cayman steering fails by age

Porsche Cayman steering fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Porsche Cayman. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.0245 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 4,028 MOT tests56 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.5), 4,231 MOT tests8 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 1.2), 4,257 MOT tests89 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 1.8), 4,356 MOT tests10 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 3,701 MOT tests1012 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 2,493 MOT tests13 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 2,133 MOT tests1314 years: 1.1 per 100 (all cars 3.2), 2,650 MOT tests15 years: 1.2 per 100 (all cars 3.3), 3,578 MOT tests1516 years: 1.3 per 100 (all cars 3.4), 4,566 MOT tests17 years: 1.5 per 100 (all cars 3.6), 3,980 MOT tests1718 years: 1.1 per 100 (all cars 3.9), 3,053 MOT tests19 years: 1.5 per 100 (all cars 4.1), 1,614 MOT tests19
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Porsche Cayman All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
54,0280.00.3
64,2310.00.5
84,2570.01.2
94,3560.01.8
103,7010.12.1
122,4930.32.8
132,1330.32.9
142,6501.13.2
153,5781.23.3
164,5661.33.4
173,9801.53.6
183,0531.13.9
19*1,6141.54.1

All first-use years of the Porsche Cayman pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the steering at 16 years

Fails

  • Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 0.5 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Replace steering rack gaiter: estimated £63–£147 (0.7–1.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £8–£30) Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
  • Steering track rod end: ball joint play: 0.5 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.9. Replace track rod end: estimated £54–£128 (0.5–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £15–£50) Track rod end ball joint has excessive play MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Replace track rod end cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Play in steering rack inner joint(s).

Check one Porsche Cayman, not the average

The figures here describe Porsche Cayman cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Porsche Cayman problems

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Porsche Cayman have more steering problems than other cars?

1.3 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 4,566 MOT tests).

How common are Porsche Cayman steering problems?

1.3 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years failed on steering, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,566 MOT tests).

What is the most common Porsche Cayman steering fail?

0.5 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years: Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (24 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 59,394 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare