Diesel Volkswagen Bora: MOT pass rate

66.2% of diesel Volkswagen Boras pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,796 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 151,869.

Diesel against the other Volkswagen Bora versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volkswagen Bora specifically, petrol is the strongest at 66.4%, and this diesel version sits 0 points above the 66.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volkswagen Bora had covered 151,869 miles at test, against 110,398 for the petrol. That is very high mileage. Clutches, dual-mass flywheels and head gaskets have usually been through at least one repair by this point, so ask for evidence rather than assume the car is original everywhere.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volkswagen Bora page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volkswagen Bora

1. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.3% of tests (7.06x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 4.9% of tests (4.57x the national rate for this defect)
3. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 6.7% of tests (4.35x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.9% of tests (4.18x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.2% of tests (4.1x the national rate for this defect)
6. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.6% of tests (4.03x the national rate for this defect)
7. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 5.2% of tests (3.97x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 7.9% of tests (3.37x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.2% of tests (3.25x the national rate for this defect)
10. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.8% of tests (2.75x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,827 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Bora tests, 2024, split out from the Volkswagen Bora's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.17% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volkswagen Bora

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 7.3% of tests (13.1x the national rate for this defect)
2. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 6.1% of tests (5.52x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 30.4% of tests (4.92x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 12.3% of tests (4.32x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 5.1% of tests (4x the national rate for this defect)
6. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 5% of tests (3.78x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 8.4% of tests (3.15x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 6.1% of tests (3.03x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 12.6% of tests (2.66x the national rate for this defect)
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 14.3% of tests (2.57x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,827 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Bora tests, 2024.

Other Volkswagen Bora fuel types

• Petrol Volkswagen Bora - 66.4%

All Volkswagen Bora MOT data · Every model