Used car guide

2001 Volkswagen Bora: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Volkswagen Boras, from 408 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 408 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

408MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
5,500typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Volkswagen Boras than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    12.7% All 2001 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2001 Volkswagen Bora MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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
    44% 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
    35% 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
    29% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% 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.

Looking at a Volkswagen Bora?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006156Suspension 44%
20051,157Suspension 48%
2004831Suspension 50%
2003787Suspension 49%
2002645Suspension 48%
2000276Suspension 50%
1999130Brakes 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Volkswagen Boras registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score