Used car guide

2004 Volkswagen Bora: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Volkswagen Boras, from 831 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

831MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Volkswagen Boras than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    16.1% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.9% of all 2004 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.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    13.1% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Steering rack3× usual
    Volkswagen Bora
    5.4% All 2004 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1% of all 2004 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 2004 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
    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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    16% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Volkswagen Bora?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20051,157Suspension 48%
2003787Suspension 49%
2002645Brakes 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Volkswagen Boras registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score