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. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  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%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2003 Volkswagen Bora cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 20)57.1%1,215 tests
2024 pass rate (age 21)57.9%945 tests
Change in one year+0.8 pointsaverage car: +0.6 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2003 Volkswagen Bora is ageing about the same as an average car.

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.

← 2002 BoraAll Bora years2004 Bora →

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).

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Bora getting worse with age?

In 2023, 57.1% passed first time. In 2024, 57.9% passed (+0.8 points). An average car that age changed by +0.6 points, so the 2003 Volkswagen Bora is ageing about the same as average.