1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Volkswagen Bora MOT pass rate and common faults

165 MOT tests in 2024. 47.3% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

75Well below average
Passed first time47.3%
Failed or needed repairs52.7%
Typical mileage at test121,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 165 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect7.3%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play5.5%
  4. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.8%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.8%
  7. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.8%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits4.2%
  9. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.2%
    18 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes40.6%
  2. Lights & electrics32.1%
  3. Emissions & leaks22.4%
  4. Suspension17.6%
  5. Body & chassis14.5%
  6. Steering10.3%
  7. Tyres7.9%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened17.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.9%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases13.3%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 1999 Volkswagen Bora cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 24)49.6%226 tests
2024 pass rate (age 25)47.3%165 tests
Change in one year−2.3 pointsaverage car: +0.7 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 1999 Volkswagen Bora is ageing worse than an average car, so problems may be starting to build up at this age.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Bora years2000 Bora →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Volkswagen Bora?

In 2024, 47.3% of 1999 Volkswagen Bora cars passed their MOT first time, across 165 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Volkswagen Bora?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Bora reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 75, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Bora getting worse with age?

In 2023, 49.6% passed first time. In 2024, 47.3% passed (−2.3 points). An average car that age changed by +0.7 points, so the 1999 Volkswagen Bora is ageing worse than average.