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VOLKSWAGEN BORA (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 904 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1595cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1595cc25 years old904 tests141k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1595cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1595cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,957
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 25 years old, 76% of VOLKSWAGEN BORAs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 904 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 140,916 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars121th of 362(top 33%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models856th of 1,118(top 77%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average+3%(73% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average-9%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

140,916

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA has 140,916 miles on the clock, 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.

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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%. The 2001 sits between the two at 76%.

VOLKSWAGEN BORA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200669%434136,602 mi
200574%2,751140,126 mi
200475%2,156141,141 mi
200376%1,989147,514 mi
200276%1,597149,145 mi
200176%904140,916 mi
200072%667135,857 mi
199966%631129,709 mi

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About the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA

The 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA is a small family car with a 1595cc petrol engine. 904 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 140,916 miles at 25 years old, VOLKSWAGEN BORA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA Fuel Costs

The 1595cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA

At 25 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 141k 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.

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 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BORA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN BORA(2001)76%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1957
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£235
MINI MINI(2003)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£130
FORD FOCUS(2003)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027+£70
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2003)67%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£35

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.

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