Volkswagen Bora Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Bora car check
Is the Volkswagen Bora reliable? We analysed 807,643 real MOT tests across 55,862 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Bora? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Bora is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Bora.
Volkswagen Bora Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Bora. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Bora MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Bora to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Bora Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Bora fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Bora Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Bora owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Bora MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Bora year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 58 | 72.4% | 57,064 | 77,354 | 133,236 |
| 2006 | 9,527 | 74.1% | 54,790 | 87,726 | 125,657 |
| 2005 | 80,265 | 73.7% | 57,538 | 90,885 | 128,360 |
| 2004 | 94,712 | 74.3% | 60,676 | 92,898 | 129,133 |
| 2003 | 116,584 | 73.9% | 62,454 | 95,004 | 131,810 |
| 2002 | 148,645 | 72.5% | 66,572 | 97,007 | 131,652 |
| 2001 | 130,503 | 71.2% | 71,862 | 99,879 | 131,678 |
| 2000 | 137,862 | 69.7% | 75,445 | 101,729 | 131,893 |
| 1999 | 88,481 | 68.4% | 75,530 | 100,227 | 129,106 |
| 1998 | 64 | 59.4% | 91,728 | 118,448 | 134,834 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Bora Last?
Based on 55,862 Volkswagen Bora vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Bora Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Bora MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Bora
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.3% MOT pass rate from 94,712 tests
59.4% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Bora is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.3% across 94,712 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Bora Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Bora THIS CAR | 71.9% | 807,643 | 97,539 mi | 27 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| BMW 120 | 79.7% | 872,714 | 75,415 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Bora trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Bora you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen BoraShould you buy a used Volkswagen Bora?
The Volkswagen Bora has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.9% across 807,643 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Bora are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (32,842 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (23,390), and stop lamp not working (16,637). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volkswagen Bora owner drives around 7,371 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volkswagen Bora models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.