Used Porsche Cayman 2013-2016 reliability
Category: Coupé
The Porsche Cayman is a wonderful sports car. It’s quick, thrilling and precise.
What should I look for in a used Porsche Cayman coupe?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
Porsche has a good reputation for durability and the Cayman seems to be a popular choice with long-term owners. This is, of course, a sports car, so it’s worth checking that all servicing has been carried out by a Porsche agent and according the specified schedule. Make sure oil changes have been carried out when they should have been.
Check the bodywork for any signs of damage or repair, and look for scuffs on the front wings and stone chips at the front of the car. Make sure those alloy wheels don't have any kerb damage.
What are the most common problems with a used Porsche Cayman coupe?
Airbag: A faulty electrical capacitor could have been installed the airbag fitted to Caymans manufactured between 23 June 2015 and 16 June 2016, and this might prevent it from working properly in a crash. Speak to a Porsche dealer for further information because they'll be able to tell you if your car needs to be checked over by a technician and have the capacitor changed.
Bonnet catch: The bonnet catch of some examples made from 5 May to 6 June 2014 could fail and allow the bonnet to open at speed. Find out from your local Porsche dealer if your car is affected by this; if so, it'll need to have part of the catch replaced and have new screws installed to secure everything.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Porsche dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Porsche Cayman coupe reliable?
The Cayman has its faults but is a generally reliable car. Although this particular generation was absent from our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, its successor did feature and it came in first place out of 15 cars in the sports car class. Its reliability score of 99.3% was a great result.
Although 21% of 718 Cayman and Boxsters suffered a fault – with either the air con, bodywork or non-engine electrics – none rendered the car undriveable. All were fixed under warranty, at no cost to the owner, too.
Porsche, as a car brand, finished in 20th place out of 31 manufacturers in our most recent survey with a good overall score of 90%. This put it above Audi, Mercedes and Polestar but below BMW, Tesla and Volkswagen.
Used Porsche Cayman reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared their experiences with the 2013-2016 Porsche Cayman, revealing a mixed picture of reliability.
Several owners praised the car’s overall durability, with many reporting few or no issues over years of ownership. However, some did encounter problems, particularly with electrical components. Warning lights illuminating unexpectedly was a recurring issue, with some drivers facing costly diagnostic fees before faults were identified.
Mechanical reliability was generally solid, though a few reported issues with the gearbox, requiring dealer intervention. Porsche’s dealer network received mixed feedback—some owners found service professional and efficient, while others were frustrated by high repair costs and slow turnaround times for parts. A few noted that warranty claims were not always straightforward, leading to unexpected expenses.
Overall, while the Cayman from this era is largely reliable, potential electrical gremlins and premium servicing costs are worth considering before buying used.
