2004 Porsche Boxster 3.2L Petrol · WU04 CZP

The 2004 Porsche Boxster presents a broadly stable mechanical picture at its most recent MOT on 27 April 2026, when it passed at 76,732 miles. That said, the maintenance trend is not one of clean improvement. Corrosion and fluid seepage are recurring themes rather than isolated incidents. The tester flagged badly corroded exhaust fixings at the latest test, continuing a pattern that dates back to at least March 2023. An oil leak has appeared consistently across multiple tests, including May 2025 and March 2023, though it has been assessed as not excessive each time. The vehicle did fail on 1 May 2025 at 75,851 miles for a Lambda reading outside specified limits after a second fast idle, alongside the same oil leak and corroded exhaust flange fixings. It retested the same day and passed, suggesting the emissions issue was addressed, but the underlying corrosion and oil seepage were carried forward as advisories rather than fully resolved. Mileage accumulation tells a story of very light use. Between the March 2023 test at 74,506 miles and the April 2026 test at 76,732 miles, the car covered just 2,226 miles over more than three years. Annualised across its 22-year life, that works out to roughly 3,488 miles per year, well below the UK average. Such low mileage can preserve mechanical components but also raises questions about prolonged standing, dried seals, and moisture ingress into systems that benefit from regular use. The gap between April 2024 at 75,279 miles and April 2026 at 76,732 miles shows only 1,453 miles in two years, reinforcing the impression of a car driven sparingly rather than neglected through high use. A buyer inspecting this Boxster in person should focus on the areas the MOT record repeatedly highlights. The exhaust system warrants close attention, particularly the flange fixings and mounting hardware, which have been flagged as badly corroded across at least three consecutive tests. This is not a fresh advisory. It suggests long-standing exposure to moisture and heat cycling that may have compromised structural integrity beyond what surface inspection reveals. The oil leak, present since at least March 2023, should be traced to its source. On a Boxster, common origins include the rear main seal, cam cover gaskets, or the oil cooler housing. Even if not excessive, persistent oil seepage can contaminate rubber hoses and degrade suspension bushes over time. The braking system also demands scrutiny. A corroded nearside rear brake pipe appeared in both the April 2024 and May 2025 tests, noted as covered in grease or other material. That detail is significant. Corrosion concealed by grease may mask pitting or wall thinning that a visual inspection alone will not reveal. The Lambda failure in May 2025, though rectified for retest, hints at possible aging lambda sensors or a catalytic converter operating at reduced efficiency. Given the car's age and low mileage, fuel system deposits and infrequent hot running may have contributed. A buyer should verify exhaust emissions under load and check for stored fault codes, particularly around the pre-cat and post-cat oxygen sensors. Suspension bushes and coil springs should also be inspected, as low-mileage vehicles often suffer from perished rubber rather than worn components, and the MOT record does not explicitly cover their condition.