2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Volkswagen Bora MOT pass rate and common faults

997 MOT tests in 2024. 58.4% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time58.4%
Failed or needed repairs41.6%
Typical mileage at test136,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 997 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.3%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.1%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.4%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.1%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.0%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  9. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics30.8%
  2. Brakes23.5%
  3. Suspension19.2%
  4. Body & chassis15.3%
  5. Steering10.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks7.4%
  7. Tyres5.9%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.7%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.5%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.1%

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 2004 Volkswagen Bora?

In 2024, 58.4% of 2004 Volkswagen Bora cars passed their MOT first time, across 997 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 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; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Bora reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).