CarCostCheck

PORSCHE BOXSTER (2004)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 4,066 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

83%

Total Tests (2024)

4,066

Avg Mileage

80,783 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£2,247

Is the 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the PORSCHE brand average of 92%.

At 20 years old, 83% of PORSCHE BOXSTERs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 4,066 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 80,783 miles.

How does the 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER compare?

Rank among all 2004 cars88th out of 491(top 18%)
Rank among all PORSCHE models250th out of 276(top 91%)
vs national average+1% (82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+11% (72% avg)
vs PORSCHE average-9% (92% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER has 80,783 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a PORSCHE BOXSTER?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2004 sits between the two at 83%.

How much does a 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 3179cc)
£1,592
🏛️Road Tax
£250
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,247
Per month£187/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

PORSCHE BOXSTER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202198%72712,725 mi
202098%1,37017,722 mi
201997%2,67221,404 mi
201896%3,00726,673 mi
201796%2,76731,373 mi
201695%3,21032,910 mi
201597%2,71632,812 mi
201494%2,72642,302 mi
201394%3,11145,989 mi
201294%2,58249,604 mi
201192%1,48350,786 mi
201093%1,75054,631 mi
200994%1,73161,617 mi
200892%2,28764,082 mi
200789%3,48572,004 mi
200688%4,15078,168 mi
200586%6,99278,175 mi
200483%4,06680,783 mi
200382%5,00883,796 mi
200282%4,35087,053 mi
200183%4,13486,615 mi
200082%3,68889,426 mi
199981%3,05894,996 mi
199878%2,49394,009 mi
199783%1,35293,558 mi
199677%43110,547 mi

Checking a specific PORSCHE BOXSTER?

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About the 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER

The 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER is a luxury with a 3179cc petrol engine. 4,066 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 18% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 80,783 miles at 20 years old, PORSCHE BOXSTER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER Fuel Costs

The 3179cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,247 (£187/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £250 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

PORSCHE BOXSTER Reliability Trend

Newer PORSCHE BOXSTERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER

At 20 years old, the PORSCHE BOXSTER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 98%.

Alternatives to the 2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER

The PORSCHE BOXSTER is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol luxurys from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: