Volkswagen Bora (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 631 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,761

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1984cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,761/year to run. 16 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Volkswagen Bora

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1984cc27 years old631 tests130k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,761

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

66% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Boras from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 631 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 129,709 miles.

Got a Volkswagen Bora you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models315th of 361(bottom 14%)

Rank among Volkswagen models1045th of 1,086(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-9%(75% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-19%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

129,709

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Volkswagen Bora had 129,709 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Volkswagen Bora?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2003 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 66%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Bora by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	69%	434	136,602 mi
2005	74%	2,751	140,126 mi
2004	75%	2,156	141,141 mi
2003	76%	1,989	147,514 mi
2002	76%	1,597	149,145 mi
2001	76%	904	140,916 mi
2000	72%	667	135,857 mi
1999	66%	631	129,709 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

+2%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+7%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+5%

Honda Civic

2001 · 1590cc Petrol

£2,228/year

70%

+4%

Check a Specific Volkswagen Bora

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1999 Volkswagen Bora

The 1999 Volkswagen Bora is a family car. Our records list a 1984cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 631 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 14% of 1999 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 129,709 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Bora owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 Volkswagen Bora Fuel Costs

The 1984cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 Volkswagen Bora?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,761 (£230/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Volkswagen Bora Reliability Trend

The Volkswagen Bora has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 1999 Volkswagen Bora

At 27 years old, the Volkswagen Bora is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 27 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 130k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 Volkswagen Bora stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volkswagen Bora(1999)	66%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428-£333
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£433
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200
Honda Civic(2001)	70%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£533

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1999 Volkswagen Bora

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Bora reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 1999 Volkswagen Boras ended in a pass, from 631 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Volkswagen Bora cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,761 a year (£230 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Volkswagen Bora?

66% of 631 MOT tests on the 1999 Volkswagen Bora ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 315th of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom 14%).

Which year Volkswagen Bora has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2003 Volkswagen Bora has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 1999 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1999 Volkswagen Bora?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Volkswagen Bora is 129,709 miles, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.