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AP53 MHL

2004 Volkswagen Bora

Silver Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Nov 2026
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

144,759 mi
Last recorded144,759 miles
Recorded on25 Nov 2025
Typical for 2004 Volkswagen Bora92,898 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAP53 MHL
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBora
Year2004
ColourSilver
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 25 Nov 2025 144,759 miles

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm bushes worn both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 21 Nov 2025 144,759 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear Exhaust system insecure rear box detacted (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm bushes worn both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

aux belt slipping at idle

Pass 12 Nov 2024 141,149 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened nearside and offside (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output nearside and offside (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill end (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Nov 2023 139,226 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 4 Oct 2022 136,274 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 3 Oct 2022 136,274 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 1 Oct 2021 132,986 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2021 132,976 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 13 Oct 2020 128,256 miles

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge BOTH FRONT WORN CLOSE TO CORDS (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 13 Oct 2020 128,255 miles

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge BOTH FRONT WORN CLOSE TO CORDS (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 16 Oct 2019 127,437 miles

Boot not opening

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 11 Oct 2019 127,436 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Boot not opening

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 17 Aug 2018 122,312 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 25mm (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 17 Aug 2018 122,312 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Inner Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 25mm (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 7 Aug 2017 118,208 miles
Fail 3 Aug 2017 118,206 miles

Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced BOTH LENS FOGGED (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement BOTH REAR (3.5.1k) DANGEROUS

Offside Front front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3) DANGEROUS

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm BOTH FRONT (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit AND LOOSING SHAPE (4.1.E.1)

Pass 18 Mar 2015 98,081 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 19 Feb 2014 90,540 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 19 Feb 2014 90,540 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 15 Feb 2013 83,828 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2012 78,301 miles

rear exhaust mounting broken

Pass 11 Feb 2011 70,864 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2010 65,412 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2009 56,737 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2008 49,636 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2007 40,192 miles

rear tyres getting low

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Bora?

Based on 807,643 MOT tests across 55,862 vehicles.

71.9%
Pass Rate
7,371
Miles/Year
27
Year Lifespan
55,862
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 32,842
position lamp(s) not working 23,390
Stop lamp not working 16,637
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 13,104
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 13,096
Full Volkswagen Bora reliability report

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AP53 MHL is a 2004 Volkswagen Bora in Silver with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 2004 Volkswagen Bora models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.3% with a typical mileage of 92,898 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Bora fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 32,842 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AP53 MHL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Bora typically stays on UK roads for around 27 years. At 22 years old, this Volkswagen Bora is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AP53 MHL?

You can check the full history of AP53 MHL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AP53 MHL registered?

AP53 MHL is a 2004 Volkswagen Bora, first registered on 28 February 2004.

Is AP53 MHL safe to buy?

The MOT history for AP53 MHL shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AP53 MHL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on AP53 MHL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.