2004 Porsche Boxster 3.2L Petrol · LE53 KYW

The documented MOT history for this 2004 Porsche Boxster is notably sparse, with only five test entries recorded between 2021 and 2025, yet the roadworthiness pattern it presents is clean and reassuring. The most recent test on 18 March 2025 recorded a pass with no defects or advisories, sitting alongside a prior failure recorded on the same date that also carries no defect details. Three earlier passes in October 2021, October 2022, and October 2023 were likewise returned with no advisory entries. While the absence of recorded advisories is a positive indicator of test-day presentation, a prospective buyer should remain aware that MOT records only capture the inspection criteria at the time of test and cannot confirm the broader mechanical condition of components such as the flat-six intermediate shaft bearing, IMS retrofit status, or the convertible roof mechanism. The recorded mileage of 44,188 miles across 22 years equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 2,009 miles, which is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. There are visible gaps in the testing history, with no MOT entries between 2023 and 2025, and the mileage progression between tests is minimal, suggesting the vehicle has either been used sparingly, stored for extended periods, or possibly off the road during intervening years. Such low usage carries its own mechanical implications: prolonged standing can lead to dried brake caliper slide pins, perished rubber components, flat spots in tyres, degraded fluid seals, and moisture accumulation in the engine oil. On a flat-six Porsche of this generation specifically, long stationary periods can also mask premature wear of the intermediate shaft bearing, so any test drive should be undertaken with the engine fully warm and at varying rev loads. Given the absence of flagged advisories, specific components cannot be cross-referenced from the MOT file, but the age, mileage profile, and known engineering concerns of this model warrant particular attention during physical inspection. The test drive should involve tight cornering on uneven surfaces to expose worn front suspension arms, anti-roll bar links, and top mounts, as well as firm braking from speed to reveal any pulsation through the pedal that would indicate warped brake discs. Listen for clonks or knocking from the rear suspension over speed humps, which is common on 986 and 987 platform Porsches, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel that could point to worn control arm bushings or driveshaft flex discs. Check for any signs of oil weepage from the sump, cam chain tensioners, and the rear main seal area, as even minor seepage on a horizontally opposed engine is worth noting. Beyond the running gear, a buyer should inspect the convertible roof operation thoroughly, confirming it raises and lowers cleanly without hesitation, and examine the fabric for delamination, creasing, or perished rear window seals that are typical on a 22-year-old car. With this vehicle's low recorded mileage and gaps in the test history, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche specialist is strongly advised, including a compression test, borescope inspection of the cylinders, and verification of any IMS bearing retrofit or replacement history. The MOT record itself shows nothing structurally alarming, but the combination of age and low usage means the true mechanical state of the powertrain and ancillary components will only become apparent through specialist examination and careful road testing.