Volkswagen Bora (2006)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 434 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1896cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 13 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.

Diesel1896cc20 years old434 tests137k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1896cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

69% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Boras from 2006 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 18 years old. That's based on 434 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 136,602 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 2006 models438th of 554(bottom 22%)

Rank among Volkswagen models1010th of 1,086(bottom 8%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2006 models average-4%(73% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-16%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

136,602

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2006 Volkswagen Bora had 136,602 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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%. The 2006 scores 69%. 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 Fiesta

2007 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,944/year

72%

+3%

Volkswagen Golf

2007 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

73%

+4%

Vauxhall Astra

2007 · 1686cc Diesel

£2,227/year

71%

+2%

Volkswagen Polo

2008 · 1400cc Diesel

£1,944/year

70%

+1%

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 2006 Volkswagen Bora

The 2006 Volkswagen Bora is a family car. Our records list a 1896cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 434 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 22% of 2006 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 136,602 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Bora owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2006 Volkswagen Bora Fuel Costs

The 1896cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2006 Volkswagen Bora?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% 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 2006 Volkswagen Bora

At 20 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

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 137k 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 69% 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 2006 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(2006)	69%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,427
Ford Fiesta(2007)	72%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944-£483
Volkswagen Golf(2007)	73%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Vauxhall Astra(2007)	71%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Volkswagen Polo(2008)	70%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944-£483

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 2006 Volkswagen Bora

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Bora reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2006 Volkswagen Boras ended in a pass, from 434 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2006 Volkswagen Bora cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 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 2006 Volkswagen Bora?

69% of 434 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Bora ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 438th of 554 models first registered in 2006 (bottom 22%).

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 2006 Volkswagen Bora?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Bora is 136,602 miles, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.