Used car guide

2000 Volkswagen Bora: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Volkswagen Boras, from 276 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 276 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

276MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
5,400typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Volkswagen Boras than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.7× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    17% All 2000 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 1.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.9× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    11.2% All 2000 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2000 Volkswagen Bora MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Volkswagen Bora?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006156Suspension 44%
20051,157Suspension 48%
2004831Suspension 50%
2003787Suspension 49%
2002645Suspension 48%
2001408Suspension 47%
1999130Brakes 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Volkswagen Boras registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score