2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Volkswagen Bora MOT pass rate and common faults

1,354 MOT tests in 2024. 57.2% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time57.2%
Failed or needed repairs42.8%
Typical mileage at test137,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,354 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements7.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.5%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.5%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.3%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.1%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.6%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.1%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.7%
  2. Brakes29.5%
  3. Suspension21.0%
  4. Body & chassis18.0%
  5. Steering10.9%
  6. Emissions & leaks7.4%
  7. Tyres5.6%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.9%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.9%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2005 Volkswagen Bora cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 18)57.4%1,614 tests
2024 pass rate (age 19)57.2%1,354 tests
Change in one year−0.2 pointsaverage car: +0.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2005 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: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 2005 Volkswagen Bora?

In 2024, 57.2% of 2005 Volkswagen Bora cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,354 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Volkswagen Bora?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 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 2005 Volkswagen Bora getting worse with age?

In 2023, 57.4% passed first time. In 2024, 57.2% passed (−0.2 points). An average car that age changed by +0.3 points, so the 2005 Volkswagen Bora is ageing about the same as average.