Porsche

Porsche Cayman (2012)

316 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.7% first-time pass rate

2012 Porsche Cayman

CarHunch analysed 316 real MOT records for the 2012 Porsche Cayman. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 316 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2012 Porsche Cayman is genuinely reliable: a 91.8% first-time pass rate sits well above the UK average of 80%, and petrol variants achieve 91.9%. However, one in five of these cars (20.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth factoring into your inspection checklist.

These Cayans are running low mileage for their age at a median of just 36,928 miles, suggesting they've been cherished rather than thrashed—but that also means you're buying a 12-year-old car that may have been sat for periods. The average 0.91 failures per vehicle is low, though 8.1 advisories suggests nibbling issues like worn trim and minor wear that come with age. Get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension and cooling systems, as these are the areas where Porsche sports cars tend to show their first real cracks.

The 2012 Porsche Cayman passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (92.7%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
92.7%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
20.3%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.91
Over 11.4 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
37k
Middle half: 25k–47k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 92.7% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 8.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 316 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 316 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 34.8%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
Tyre wear 25.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 16.1%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 316 Porsche Cayman cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2012 Porsche Cayman

Based on MOT data from 316 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 313 92.8% 0.91

Colour Breakdown

Based on 17,092 Porsche Cayman vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 22.2%
3,794
Grey 18.7%
3,199
Silver 15.6%
2,672
Blue 14.9%
2,543
White 12.1%
2,073
Red 11.1%
1,900
Yellow 2.5%
429
Green 1.6%
268
Orange 0.8%
138
Brown 0.3%
59
Purple 0.1%
9
Multi-colour 0%
8

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Porsche Cayman vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

36,928
typical
25,167
low mileage
47,354
high mileage

Half of all 2012 Porsche Cayman vehicles fall between 25,167 and 47,354 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 25,167 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
25,167–47,354 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Porsche Caymans sit.
Over 63,927 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Porsche Cayman — Still on the Road

Almost all 2012 Porsche Caymans are still on the road.

Strong survival — 279 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.

21 279 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.91
Avg failures per vehicle
8.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Porsche Cayman: All Cayman years → Which year to buy? →
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

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Average reliability — agree?