Car statistics
How many Volkswagen Boras are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 4,358 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 3,500 Volkswagen Boras licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 4,836 declared off the road (SORN). That is 93.3% fewer than the peak of 52,606 in 2005.
Numbers peaked in 2005 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 7,121 |
| 2000 | 16,446 |
| 2001 | 27,759 |
| 2002 | 37,289 |
| 2003 | 43,624 |
| 2004 | 48,962 |
| 2005 | 52,606 |
| 2006 | 51,967 |
| 2007 | 50,829 |
| 2008 | 49,456 |
| 2009 | 47,957 |
| 2010 | 46,112 |
| 2011 | 43,744 |
| 2012 | 41,056 |
| 2013 | 37,752 |
| 2014 | 33,601 |
| 2015 | 29,452 |
| 2016 | 25,413 |
| 2017 | 21,010 |
| 2018 | 17,073 |
| 2019 | 13,593 |
| 2020 | 10,918 |
| 2021 | 8,738 |
| 2022 | 7,184 |
| 2023 | 5,703 |
| 2024 | 4,569 |
| 2025 | 3,693 |
| 2026 | 3,500 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
2 versions of the Volkswagen Bora have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Bora Highline | 1,179 | 723 |
| Volkswagen Bora V6 | 44 | 87 |
In 2025, 60.7% of Volkswagen Bora MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Volkswagen Boras tested pass 60.8% of the time, so the Volkswagen Bora does about as well as average for its age. In 2024 its pass rate was 58.2%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Volkswagen Bora | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | 61.0% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Volkswagen Bora fails its MOT, appearing on 50.4% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.6% of Volkswagen Bora tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 50.4% |
| Suspension | 35.9% |
| Brakes | 31.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 28.2% |
| Steering | 18.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 16.8% |
| Tyres | 13.3% |
| Visibility | 11.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Volkswagen Bora failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 14.7% of 1,712 failed tests. 73.0% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.7% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 13.0% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.6% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.2% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 8.9% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 8.1% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.2% |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering | 6.6% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.3% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 6.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 19.4% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 17.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 16.4% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.4% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 11.0% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 10.3% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 9.0% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 8.8% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 8.1% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 7.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
4 years of the Volkswagen Bora, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2004 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (61.8% passed first time) and the 2002 cars worst (60.4%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | – | 1,582 | 60.4% |
| 2003 | – | 1,515 | 61.6% |
| 2004 | – | 1,467 | 61.8% |
| 2005 | – | 1,705 | 61.5% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Volkswagen Bora covers 5,546 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 15–19 years | 5,987 |
| 20+ years | 5,517 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Volkswagen Boras for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 10,359 in 2002. In 2025, 1 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 10,135 |
| ’02 | 10,359 |
| ’03 | 7,466 |
| ’04 | 6,089 |
| ’05 | 4,871 |
| ’06 | 589 |
| ’07 | 20 |
| ’08 | 8 |
| ’09 | 8 |
| ’10 | 106 |
| ’11 | 9 |
| ’12 | 8 |
| ’13 | 8 |
| ’14 | 1 |
| ’15 | 5 |
| ’16 | 2 |
| ’17 | 4 |
| ’18 | 3 |
| ’19 | 0 |
| ’20 | 0 |
| ’21 | 0 |
| ’22 | 0 |
| ’23 | 1 |
| ’24 | 1 |
| ’25 | 1 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 4,152 Volkswagen Boras licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 73.2% have an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc, and 10.5% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc. The share with an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc has grown from 65.8% in 2014 to 73.2%. Diesels made up 66.0% of those licensed in 2014 and 73.5% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,801cc to 1,900cc 3,041 licensed | 73.2% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 436 licensed | 10.5% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 276 licensed | 6.6% |
| 1,601cc to 1,700cc 140 licensed | 3.4% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 94 licensed | 2.3% |
| 2,301cc to 2,400cc 70 licensed | 1.7% |
| Other sizes 95 licensed | 2.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,801–1,900cc | Diesel | 3,041 | 73.2% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 435 | 10.5% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 266 | 6.4% |
| 1,601–1,700cc | Petrol | 140 | 3.4% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 94 | 2.3% |
| 2,301–2,400cc | Petrol | 70 | 1.7% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,801–1,900cc | 1,501–1,600cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,601–1,700cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 65.8% | 14.7% | 10.3% | 3.7% |
| 2015 | 67.4% | 14.0% | 9.6% | 3.7% |
| 2016 | 69.0% | 13.4% | 9.1% | 3.5% |
| 2017 | 70.1% | 12.9% | 8.5% | 3.5% |
| 2018 | 71.4% | 12.3% | 7.9% | 3.4% |
| 2019 | 72.3% | 12.0% | 7.3% | 3.4% |
| 2020 | 72.9% | 11.7% | 7.2% | 3.3% |
| 2021 | 73.3% | 11.8% | 6.4% | 3.2% |
| 2022 | 73.5% | 11.2% | 6.4% | 3.3% |
| 2023 | 73.7% | 11.0% | 6.4% | 3.3% |
| 2024 | 73.8% | 10.5% | 6.3% | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 73.2% | 10.5% | 6.6% | 3.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 66.0% | 33.9% |
| 2015 | 67.6% | 32.3% |
| 2016 | 69.2% | 30.7% |
| 2017 | 70.3% | 29.6% |
| 2018 | 71.6% | 28.3% |
| 2019 | 72.5% | 27.4% |
| 2020 | 73.1% | 26.9% |
| 2021 | 73.5% | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 73.7% | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 74.0% | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 74.1% | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 73.5% | 26.5% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Volkswagen Bora from 2000, when the data begins, to 2006. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2006), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 25.4 to 54.3 mpg, with CO2 of 140 to 266 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 32.8–40.4 | 168–206 | 2000–2006 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 9 |
| 1.8 petrol | 32.8–35.3 | 192–206 | 2001–2006 | Euro 4 | 3 |
| 2.0 petrol | 30.7–34.9 | 194–221 | 2000–2006 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 9 |
| 2.3 petrol | 27.7–32.1 | 211–245 | 2000–2004 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 7 |
| 2.8 petrol | 25.4–25.7 | 264–266 | 2000–2004 | Euro 4 | 3 |
| 1.9 diesel | 42.8–54.3 | 140–178 | 2000–2006 | Euro 3 | 26 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 6 safety recalls for the Volkswagen Bora since 1992, the first in 2001. The most recent was launched on 24 January 2019.
All 6 Volkswagen Bora recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Volkswagen Bora. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Bora | 3,500 | −19.2% | 4,836 | 479 | Diesel |
| Volkswagen Golf | 900,884 | −2.1% | 122,944 | 3 | Petrol |
| Volkswagen Polo | 663,686 | −0.3% | 49,229 | 6 | Petrol |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 331,220 | +6.5% | 4,557 | 19 | Diesel |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 164,314 | +16.3% | 684 | 49 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 8,336 Bora records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 4,358 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
