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Volkswagen Bora reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-20051 named generationSaloonDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 1,355 MOT tests for Volkswagen Boras built around 2005 (20 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Volkswagen Bora built around 2005: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Boras built around 2005 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volkswagen Bora by number plate

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Boras built around 2005 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Boras built around 2005 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Bora's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Bora's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Bora 1J (Golf Mk4 saloon)

1J (Golf Mk4 saloon) (1999-2005)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

29.6% fail rate, built around 2005 (20 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 1,355 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Bora.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Bora

By age

Volkswagen Bora fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Bora ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
99930.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,35529.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,09329.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,02129.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
77029.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
46532.5%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
39629.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 20-year-old Volkswagen Boras

These issues come from 20-year-old Volkswagen Boras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    21.1%
    Advisory: 373Fail: 82 (18% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    19.5%
    Advisory: 382Fail: 23 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.0%
    Advisory: 334Fail: 19 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    14.5%
    Advisory: 196Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.2%
    Advisory: 253Fail: 14 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,355 MOT tests on 20-year-old Volkswagen Boras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 20-year-old Volkswagen Boras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension41%
  2. Lighting + Suspension26%
  3. Brakes + Tyres25%
  4. Brakes + Lighting25%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 853 MOT tests on Volkswagen Bora cars built around 2005 (20 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volkswagen Bora.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

6 recalls in all

All 6 Volkswagen Bora recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Anti lock brake control unit concern
  • Driver airbag generator housing could come loose
  • Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.1%
    Dangerous
    7.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 6.1%, against 10.2% for the Volkswagen Bora.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,542 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2005 (20 years old), the Volkswagen Bora across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,355 20-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Bora ever sold: 6,099 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2005 (20 years old): 1,355 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.