Model reliability

Volkswagen Bora reliability

The Volkswagen Bora fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 41.8% of 6,740 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

Over 10 years old

41.8% failed their MOT

About average

From 6,740 MOT tests of Volkswagen Boras this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 41% more oftenBrake performance8.2% vs 5.8%

Fails 43% more oftenHeadlamp aim7.7% vs 5.4%Fix about £30

Fails 2× as oftenSteering linkage components5.5% vs 2.4%

Fails 77% more oftenTransmission4.6% vs 2.6%

Advised 2× as oftenRigid brake pipes19.5% vs 8.3%Fix about £120

Advised 31% more oftenFluid leaks13.2% vs 10.1%

Advised 2× as oftenExhaust system10.9% vs 5.3%Fix about £150

Advised 3× as oftenHeadlamps10.4% vs 3.7%Fix about £30

Safety recalls

6 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Bora

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2019/01924 Jan 2019Built 2002Driver airbag generator housing could come loose

Increased humidity may have got into the propellant of the gas generator for the drivers air bag.

Fix: The gas generator of the front airbag on the driver side is replaced.

Recalled models: BORA · 786 vehicles

R/2004/2113 Mar 2005Built 2004Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break

It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.

Recalled models: BORA · 49,701 vehicles

R/2003/01426 Mar 2003Built 1998–1999Brake servo vacuum pipe may crack and leak.

The brake servo vacuum supply pipe may crack and leak. This could result in a loss of power assistance and require the driver to apply a lot more force to the brake pedal.

Fix: Examine the condition of the vacuum supply pipe and fit an improved quality replacement where necessary.

Recalled models: BORA · 69,541 vehicles

R/2002/0309 May 2002Built 2002–2001Anti lock brake control unit concern

There is a risk that an electrical fault in the anti lock brake control unit (ABS) can cause overheating of related electrical components. This may lead to fire damage and cause the service brake to revert to a non-anti lock mode of operation.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles to check the part number and supplier code of the ABS control unit. Renew the ABS control unit where found necessary.

Recalled models: BORA · 24,034 vehicles

R/2001/1401 Dec 2001Built 1997–2000Risk of failure of rear axle transverse link.

Moisture can enter the rear axle ball joints this moisture can start corrosion of the joints ultimately causing the joints to seize.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles for replacement of ball joints and transverse links.

Recalled models: BORA · 9 vehicles

R/2001/01126 Feb 2001Built 2000Passenger airbag concern

The passenger airbag may not release correctly because of a leak in the pressure reservoir of the gas generator.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and replace the front passenger airbag.

Recalled models: BORA · 157 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Volkswagen Bora before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Volkswagen Bora reliability

6 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Bora

Checking a Volkswagen Bora before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.