2001 · 23 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2001 Volkswagen Bora MOT pass rate and common faults

475 MOT tests in 2024. 61.9% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time61.9%
Failed or needed repairs38.1%
Typical mileage at test134,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 475 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.3%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.8%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
  5. Stop lamp: not working2.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.3%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.3%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    13 marked dangerous
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    20 marked dangerous
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics22.5%
  2. Brakes22.1%
  3. Suspension16.8%
  4. Body & chassis11.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.9%
  6. Steering7.6%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.3%
  8. Tyres4.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.9%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.5%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Volkswagen Bora?

In 2024, 61.9% of 2001 Volkswagen Bora cars passed their MOT first time, across 475 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 Volkswagen Bora?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2001 Volkswagen Bora reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).