2003 Volkswagen Bora · 4,130 MOT tests
2003 Volkswagen Bora reliability
2003 Volkswagen Boras fail 42.5% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 6 Bora years (4,130 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Boras: 41.4%)
- 42.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Boras: 41.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 145,724
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,130
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.6% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 40% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Bora
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.7%
- Suspension15%
- Brakes13%
- Body, chassis and structure11.4%
- Steering7.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.7%
- Tyres6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.88%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.36%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.92%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.87%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.46%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Stop lamp not working 3.2%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.31%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.3%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.15%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.45%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9.35%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.18%)
Is a 2003 Volkswagen Bora reliable?
2003 Volkswagen Boras fail 42.5% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 6 Bora years (4,130 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Bora MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.88% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.36% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.92% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volkswagen Bora have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volkswagen Bora shows 145,724 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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