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Common Volkswagen Bora Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs

Every known Volkswagen Bora MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 11,129 real MOT tests across 8 model years.

Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol

74%

Volkswagen Bora pass rate

85%

Volkswagen average

82%

National average

The Volkswagen Bora has an average MOT pass rate of 74%, which is 11 points below the Volkswagen average and 8 points below the national average. The VOLKSWAGEN BORA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Check Your Volkswagen Bora's MOT History

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Most Common Volkswagen Bora MOT Issues

Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Volkswagen Bora, with typical repair costs

Brakes

High likelihood

£80 - £450

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed

Failure points:

Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum

Suspension

High likelihood

£150 - £600

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded

Failure points:

Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking

Lights

High likelihood

£15 - £200

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated

Failure points:

Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure

Tyres

High likelihood

£50 - £300

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall

Failure points:

Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply

Exhaust & Emissions

High likelihood

£80 - £800

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak

Failure points:

Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning

Steering

High likelihood

£100 - £500

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated

Failure points:

Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits

Body & Structure

High likelihood

£200 - £1200

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage

Failure points:

Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness

Windscreen & Wipers

Lower likelihood

£10 - £350

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated

Failure points:

Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen

Is your specific car affected?

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Volkswagen Bora Reliability by Year

MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data

1999
66%
Worst year
2000
72%
2001
76%
2002
76%
2003
76%
Best year
2004
75%
2005
74%
2006
69%
YearFuelEnginePass RateFail Rate
2006Diesel1.9L69%30%
2005Petrol1.6L74%25%
2004Petrol1.6L75%24%
2003Petrol1.6L76%23%
2002Petrol1.6L76%23%
2001Petrol1.6L76%23%
2000Petrol1.6L72%25%
1999Petrol2.0L66%33%

Most Reliable Year

2003

76% pass rate from 1,989 tests

View 2003 Volkswagen Bora details

Least Reliable Year

1999

66% pass rate from 631 tests

View 1999 Volkswagen Bora details

Volkswagen Bora Running Costs

Want to know the full annual running costs for the Volkswagen Bora? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.

View Volkswagen Bora Running Costs

Volkswagen Bora FAQ

What are the most common Volkswagen Bora problems?

The most common Volkswagen Bora MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, tyres, exhaust & emissions, steering, body & structure issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 11,129 real tests.

Is the Volkswagen Bora reliable?

The Volkswagen Bora has an average MOT pass rate of 74%, which is 8 points below the national average of 82%. This is about average reliability.

Which year Volkswagen Bora is most reliable?

The 2003 Volkswagen Bora is the most reliable year with a 76% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 1999 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 66%.

How much does it cost to fix common Volkswagen Bora faults?

Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Volkswagen Bora typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.

Check a Specific Volkswagen Bora

Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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