2011 Porsche Cayman 3.4L Petrol · SL61 YFC

The Cayman presents a mixed maintenance picture that has deteriorated notably in its most recent test cycle. The October 2025 pass at 94,826 miles came just three days after a serious failure at 94,819 miles, where the tester flagged excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, four missing wheel bolts across all four wheels, and corrosion on both rear coil springs. That cluster of defects, particularly the missing wheel bolts and steering play, points to a car that was submitted for test in poor mechanical condition and then hastily rectified rather than properly maintained. The two corroded rear coil springs carried over into the pass as advisories, meaning the underlying issue was not addressed. This is a worsening trend, not a stable one. The mileage pattern tells a straightforward story. The car covered 76,413 miles by September 2022 and reached 94,826 miles by October 2025, adding roughly 18,400 miles across three years, or about 6,100 miles annually. That is broadly consistent with the roughly 6,322 miles-per-year average over the car's full life and suggests regular use rather than long-term storage. The record is reasonably well populated with annual tests back to 2022, so there are no alarming gaps in the history. The jump from 84,924 miles in November 2023 to 91,073 miles in October 2024 accounts for around 6,100 miles in under a year, again unremarkable for a car of this type. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the rear suspension and steering geometry. The repeated advisory for corroded rear coil springs across both the 2025 failure and the subsequent pass is a structural concern, not a minor cosmetic one. Corroded coil springs can fracture without warning, particularly on a mid-engined car where rear weight distribution and cornering loads are significant. Have both rear springs closely examined for pitting, cracking, or sag, and confirm whether they have been replaced since October 2025 or merely noted and ignored. The nearside front track rod end play that caused the 2025 failure also warrants scrutiny. Even though it passed three days later, the underlying steering rack was flagged for inner joint play as far back as October 2024 at 91,073 miles. That advisory was never resolved, and the 2025 failure suggests the wear has progressed. Have the inner rack joints and all track rod ends checked for slack, and inspect the front tyres for uneven wear patterns consistent with steering geometry drift. The four missing wheel bolts recorded in October 2025 are a red flag for how the car was maintained between services. Losing one bolt is unusual; losing all four simultaneously suggests either extreme neglect or a wheel removal event where bolts were not refitted correctly. Check all wheel fixings for correct torque and inspect the hub threads for damage. The persistent windscreen damage noted in both 2023 and 2024 at 84,924 and 91,073 miles respectively remains a minor concern if the chip or crack has not been repaired, as it can worsen with thermal cycling. Overall, the record suggests a car that has been driven regularly but not carefully maintained, with structural corrosion and steering wear that a buyer should verify has been genuinely rectified rather than papered over for test purposes.