Volkswagen Bora reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Volkswagen Bora is a car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 106 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 224 of 442, and 43.0% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is position lamp (6.5% of tests).
Ranked 224 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League
In 2024, 2,982 Volkswagen Boras aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 43.0% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Volkswagen Bora is 6% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
43.0%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
7,300
Typical age at test: 19 years
Volkswagen Bora MOT failure rate by age
Most common Volkswagen Bora MOT faults
- Position lamp: not working6.5% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.5% of tests
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.5% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.2% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working4.1% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.9% of tests
What the Volkswagen Bora fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 22.4% | About average |
| Brakes | 16.2% | About average |
| Suspension | 15.6% | ▼ 17% less often |
| Body and structure | 12.8% | ▲ 1.3× as often |
| Steering | 9.4% | ▲ 1.9× as often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6.5% | ▼ 16% less often |
| Tyres | 5.3% | ▼ 27% less often |
| Visibility | 4.4% | ▼ 43% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.4% | ▼ 31% less often |
| Wheels | 0.5% | ▼ 18% less often |
What MPG does the Volkswagen Bora do?
Official economy for the Volkswagen Bora ranges from 25.4 to 53.3mpg across the 13 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2006). A typical petrol version manages 33.6mpg and a typical diesel 51.4mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Volkswagen Bora?
Any Volkswagen Bora first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Volkswagen Bora registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £225 to £790 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carVolkswagen Bora specs and running costs
Official figures for 13 versions sold in the UK between 2004 and 2006.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol
Official economy
25.4–53.3 mpg
CO2
143–266 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bora 1.9 TDI PD Tiptronic (100 PS)A5 · listed 2006 | Diesel | 42.8 mpg | 178g | £360 |
| Bora 1.9 TDI PD (100 PS)M5 · listed 2006 | Diesel | 53.3 mpg | 143g | £225 |
| Bora 1.9 TDI (130 PS)M6 · listed 2006 | Diesel | 51.4 mpg | 149g | £225 |
| Bora 1.9 TDI Tiptronic (130 PS)A5 · listed 2006 | Diesel | 42.8 mpg | 178g | £360 |
| Bora 1.6 (102 PS)A4 · listed 2006 | Petrol | 33.6 mpg | 201g | £445 |
| Bora 1.6 (105 PS)M5 · listed 2006 | Petrol | 39.8 mpg | 170g | £325 |
| Bora 1.8T (150 PS)M5 · listed 2006 | Petrol | 35.3 mpg | 192g | £410 |
| Bora 1.8T (180 PS)M6 · listed 2006 | Petrol | 32.8 mpg | 206g | £445 |
| Bora 2.0 (115 PS)M5 · listed 2006 | Petrol | 34.9 mpg | 194g | £410 |
| Bora 1.9 TDI PD (150 PS)M6 · listed 2004 | Diesel | 51.4 mpg | 149g | £225 |
| Bora V5 (170 PS)M5 · listed 2004 | Petrol | 31.7 mpg | 214g | £445 |
| Bora V5 Tiptronic (170 PS)A5 · listed 2004 | Petrol | 28.8 mpg | 235g | £445 |
| Bora V6 4MOTION (204 PS)QM6 · listed 2004 | Petrol | 25.4 mpg | 266g | £445 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement.
What a Volkswagen Bora costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 33.6mpg…
- diesel, typical official 51.4mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Volkswagen BoraBuying a used Volkswagen Bora?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Other Volkswagen models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Volkswagen Bora reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the Volkswagen Bora is 6% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 106 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Volkswagen Bora?
The most common MOT fault is “Position lamp: not working”, found in 6.5% of tests. It fails on steering more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the Volkswagen Bora do?
Official economy for the Volkswagen Bora ranges from 25.4 to 53.3mpg across the 13 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2006). A typical petrol version manages 33.6mpg and a typical diesel 51.4mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Volkswagen Bora?
Any Volkswagen Bora first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Volkswagen Bora registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £225 to £790 a year.
›How many Volkswagen Boras fail their MOT?
43.0% of Volkswagen Boras aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Volkswagen Bora combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.