2006 Volkswagen Bora — MOT failures & pass rate
1,514 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Bora are in this dataset, and 72.2% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.5%, so the 2006 Bora sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.8% of all tests — 5.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 118 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.4% in the 30-60k band and 28.0% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 269 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 186 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 174 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 158 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.4% | 112 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 76 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 118 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 115 |
| 3 | Joints | 96 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 87 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 85 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 81 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.6% | 600 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.2% | 457 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.6% | 357 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.4% | 309 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 235 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.5% | 235 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 84 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 198 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 344 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 360 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 526 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,413 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 101 | 31.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 380 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 367 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 305 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 261 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 201 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Bora
On a 2006 Bora, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (11.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Volkswagen Boras pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 1,514 2006 Volkswagen Bora MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Bora?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2006 Bora get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 30-60k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,514 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.