2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Volkswagen Bora MOT pass rate and common faults

945 MOT tests in 2024. 57.9% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time57.9%
Failed or needed repairs42.1%
Typical mileage at test147,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 945 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.0%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.8%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.5%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.5%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.4%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  9. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%
  10. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.1%
  2. Brakes21.3%
  3. Suspension19.7%
  4. Body & chassis12.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.4%
  6. Steering9.3%
  7. Tyres5.7%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.4%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. 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 2003 Volkswagen Bora?

In 2024, 57.9% of 2003 Volkswagen Bora cars passed their MOT first time, across 945 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volkswagen Bora?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Bora reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).