2004 Porsche Boxster 3.2L Petrol · MX04 XOY

The 2004 Porsche Boxster presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 11 November 2025 at 90,134 miles, resulted in a pass, yet the tester flagged corrosion on all four brake pipes, each noted as being covered in grease or other material. This is not a new problem. The record shows a persistent and unresolved pattern of corroded steel brake lines dating back to at least May 2023. The vehicle failed its May 2023 test on the same issue, passed a retest four days later, and then failed again in June 2024 before passing later that same month. The maintenance trend is stable but chronically neglected in one specific area. The underlying corrosion has not been rectified; it has merely been masked or tolerated to achieve a pass. The mileage profile is notably low for a 22-year-old sports car. At 90,134 miles, the annual average is roughly 4,097 miles. The record shows a gap of over a year between the May 2023 test at 89,099 miles and the June 2024 test at 89,509 miles, a mere 410-mile increase. From June 2024 to November 2025, the car covered just 625 miles over approximately 17 months. This suggests prolonged periods of inactivity, which is often more damaging to a vehicle than regular use. Seals dry out, brake discs surface-corrode, and tyres develop flat spots. The extremely low mileage does not automatically indicate a well-preserved car; it points to a machine that has spent significant time standing still. A buyer must treat the brake system as a primary concern. The repeated advisories for corroded brake pipes, specifically noted as being covered in grease, raise serious questions about the quality of previous repairs. Grease over corrosion is a temporary cosmetic cover, not a fix. The offside rear brake hose was flagged in May 2023 as damaged and rubbing on the wheel, a critical failure that was apparently replaced, but the condition of the other flexible hoses and the integrity of the hard lines underneath the undertrays require a thorough inspection on a ramp. The presence of undertrays fitted at the most recent test further complicates a visual assessment, as they can trap moisture and conceal the true extent of corrosion on the brake lines and the vehicle's structural floor pans. Beyond the brakes, the long periods of inactivity demand a careful check of the suspension bushes, coil springs, and dampers for deterioration. The tyres must be examined for age-related cracking, regardless of remaining tread depth, as rubber degrades over time. A Porsche Boxster of this age, sitting for long intervals, is also prone to issues with the intermediate shaft bearing and rear main seal. The MOT record confirms the car passes its emissions and basic safety checks, but the documented history reveals a pattern of addressing only the immediate failure point without resolving the underlying decay. A pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche specialist is strongly advised.