How much does a 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA?

The 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 631 tests in 2026. This ranks 329 out of 375 cars from 1999.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN BORA is most reliable?

The 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BORA has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 66%.

VOLKSWAGEN BORA (1999)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA?

The average mileage for a 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA is 129,709 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 631 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1984cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1984cc27 years old631 tests130k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1984cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 27 years old, 66% of VOLKSWAGEN BORAs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 631 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 129,709 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars329th of 375(top 88%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models1076th of 1,118(top 96%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

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

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-19%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

129,709

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA has 129,709 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2003 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 66%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

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

£2,027/year

68%

+2%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+7%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+5%

HONDA CIVIC

2001 · 1590cc Petrol

£1,827/year

70%

+4%

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About the 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA

The 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA is a family car with a 1984cc petrol engine. 631 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 88% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 129,709 miles at 27 years old, 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 £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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 points.

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

Based on the 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BORA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN BORA(1999)	66%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
FORD FOCUS(2001)	68%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£2027-£370
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
HONDA CIVIC(2001)	70%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.