2004 Volkswagen Bora · 4,454 MOT tests
2004 Volkswagen Bora reliability
2004 Volkswagen Boras fail 40.8% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 6 Bora years (4,454 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Boras: 41.4%)
- 40.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Boras: 41.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 135,599
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,454
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.3% of tests fail here (65% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 55% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Volkswagen Bora
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.8%
- Suspension14.8%
- Brakes14.3%
- Body, chassis and structure12.2%
- Steering8.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.8%
- Tyres5.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.64%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.91%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.91%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.73%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Stop lamp not working 3.32%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.1%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (16.43%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.67%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.45%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.3%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.15%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (7.63%)
Is a 2004 Volkswagen Bora reliable?
2004 Volkswagen Boras fail 40.8% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 6 Bora years (4,454 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Volkswagen Bora MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.64% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.91% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.91% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Volkswagen Bora have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Volkswagen Bora shows 135,599 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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