IMS bearing failure
usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Metal in oil, rattle — can destroy the engine
Fix: Preventive IMS bearing retrofit
€1,500–3,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987)
1996–2012
2
engines covered
9
known faults
29,949
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987) was built from 1996 to 2012.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 9 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Bore scoring: it usually appears at 80,000–180,000 km and costs €8,000–20,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (9.9 %), suspension (5.3 %), exhaust, emissions and leaks (5.3 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 / 3.6 flat-six (M96/M97) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-40 / 5W-40 · Porsche A40 · ~8.5–10.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.4 / 3.6 / 3.8 DFI flat-six (9A1) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-40 · Porsche A40 · ~8.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
3.4 / 3.6 flat-six (M96/M97)
Rear main seal (RMS) leak
usually 60,000–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil drip between engine and gearbox
Fix: Replace seal (with clutch)
€400–1,200
Bore scoring
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
Signs: Oil consumption, ticking, sooty tailpipe on one bank
Fix: Borescope inspection; engine rebuild
€8,000–20,000
Coolant expansion tank crack
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant smell, drops
Fix: Replace tank
€200–400
3.4 / 3.6 / 3.8 DFI flat-six (9A1)
Carbon build-up on intake valves (DFI)
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Walnut blasting
€500–1,000
Water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–140,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant weep
Fix: Replace pump
€500–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Tiptronic (Aisin / ZF)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
PDK (7 / 8-speed, wet clutch)
DCT mechatronic / solenoids
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh shifts
Fix: Repair; keep oil changes at 60,000 km
€800–2,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 3.4 / 3.6 flat-six (M96/M97) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 29,949 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.7 % | 2.6 % | 5.2 % | 7.8 % | 8.1 % |
| Suspension | 1.2 % | 2.7 % | 5.3 % | 8.0 % | 8.6 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.5 % | 1.1 % | 1.7 % | 2.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 1.2 % | 2.3 % | 3.0 % | 3.7 % | 4.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.5 % | 6.1 % | 9.9 % | 14.0 % | 16.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.6 % | 1.1 % | 2.1 % | 3.7 % | 4.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.8 % | 2.2 % | 5.3 % | 9.4 % | 11.6 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 154 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (3). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Suspension / axles Rear axle carrier side parts may not meet required specifications15/09/2021 · R/2021/314
- Doors / locks / lids Sun shield may detach02/04/2010 · R/2010/036
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Parking brake may fail24/01/2006 · R/2006/014
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026