A focused pre-purchase checklist for a used 987 Boxster or Cayman. A professional pre-purchase inspection (PPI) at a Porsche specialist is strongly recommended; this is what to prioritise. The single biggest question is which era you are buying.
987.1 (2005-2008, M96/M97) — engine first
- IMS bearing: assess risk by build. The earliest MY2005 Boxster with the small single-row bearing is the worst (some estimates ~8-15% failure); the larger 2006-2008 bearing and all Caymans are far lower risk (well under 1%). Check the oil filter for metal, ask about any retrofit, and factor it into your offer.
- Bore scoring: this is why a borescope inspection is worth paying for on the 987.1, especially the M97 3.4 S. Cold-start the car yourself and listen for a rhythmic tick/knock; check for oil consumption and sooty exhaust.
- RMS / AOS: look for oil weeping at the bellhousing and white startup smoke.
987.2 (2009-2012, 9A1) — fuel system
- No IMS and bore scoring is rare, so those fears do not apply. Instead, confirm the HPFP history: hard hot-starts, stalling, or stored fuel-pressure codes (P0087) point to the high-pressure pump; many were replaced under a service action.
All 987
- Cooling: check the coolant tank, water pump, and (987.1) front coolant pipe for weeping or crust.
- Transmission: manual clutch bite; Tiptronic (987.1) for harsh shifts; PDK (987.2) for clean shifts and fluid-service history.
- Brakes / suspension: measure pad and disc wear (budget heavily if PCCB yellow calipers are worn); listen for coffin-arm clunks.
- Boxster top: cycle it fully several times. Paperwork: verify service history and check recalls by VIN.
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