Used car guide

2003 Volkswagen Bora: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volkswagen Boras, from 787 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

787MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,600typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Volkswagen Boras than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    12.5% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

  • Steering rack2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    3.9% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.9% of all 2003 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 2003 Volkswagen Bora MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    47% 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
    40% 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
    31% 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
    20% 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
    15% 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
20051,157Suspension 48%
2004831Suspension 50%
2002645Brakes 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volkswagen Boras registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score