IsItAGoodCar
Official DVLA Record
Road Tax Paid

2005 Volkswagen Bora 1.9L Diesel · SN05 AFC

SN05 AFC

2005 Volkswagen Bora (1.9L, diesel). First registered 01/08/2005. Recorded mileage 148,265 miles. MOT status: Expired. Taxed until 01/04/2027.

Make & Model
VOLKSWAGEN BORA
Year / Origin
2005 · Edinburgh
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 18/09/2026
Road Tax
Taxed (01/04/2027)
Recorded Mileage
148,265 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
Fuel & Engine
DIESEL · 1.9L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 18/09/2026
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01/04/2027
Fuel Type
DIESEL
Year
2005
Engine
1896cc

SN05 AFC Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 15/09/2025
  • 148,265 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring suspension items (2 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
65
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
✓ Taxed
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for SN05AFC

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

SN05 AFC Mileage History

  1. 01/09/2021131,622 mi
  2. 31/08/2022136,425 mi+4,803 mi
  3. 07/09/2023141,042 mi+4,617 mi
  4. 20/09/2024148,052 mi+7,010 mi
  5. 15/09/2025148,265 mi+213 mi

Average of roughly 4,122 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

SN05 AFC MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 29 Aug 2026, 00:02
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2005 Volkswagen Bora (SN05 AFC) between September 2021 and September 2025.

The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.

The record shows no MOT failures, although 9 advisory notices note items to monitor.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 9 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
75/100
Risk Level
Low
Low
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,500
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 148,265 miles is...

Our Verdict

This 2005 Volkswagen Bora 1.9L Diesel presents an unusually clean recent MOT history with five consecutive pass results and zero recorded defects from 2021 to 2025. With 148,265 miles recorded at its last test in September 2025, it represents a high-mileage diesel saloon that has managed its annual inspections without failure.

When inspecting this Volkswagen Bora, verify the physical service history documentation to cross-reference the mileage progression shown in the MOT certificates, noting that MOT tests only confirm compliance at the time of testing. Check the condition of the 1.896L diesel engine bay for any signs of fluid leaks, uneven idling, or cold-start issues, which are common areas of wear on higher-mileage diesel units of this era.

Negotiate on the basis of any impending consumable replacements, such as tyres, brakes, or suspension components that may not have appeared on recent MOT advisories but are expected given the vehicle's 148,265-mile odometer reading. Ensure all electrical features, including windows, central locking, and the heater blower, are fully operational before completing the purchase.

The 1896.0cc diesel engine in this Bora is known for generally strong fuel economy on longer journeys, which helps offset the higher mileage. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and insurance group ratings should be checked against current DVLA and insurer databases based on the specific 2005 registration details.

Maintenance costs will depend heavily on the frequency of future oil changes and timely replacement of wear-and-tear items like clutches and timing belts. Estimated annual running costs for a vehicle of this type covering standard UK mileage are approximately £1,200-£1,500, factoring in fuel, insurance, road tax, and routine servicing.

Examine the suspension bushes, dampers, and brake lines closely during a physical inspection, as these components endure considerable stress on UK roads despite the recent pass certificates showing no defects. Check the bodywork and structural underside around the sills and wheel arches for any corrosion, paying attention to the black paint finish for signs of previous repairs or fading.

Verify that the clutch operation is smooth and that the manual transmission engages all gears without hesitation. Listen for any excessive turbocharger whine or smoke from the exhaust system upon startup, as these can indicate upcoming mechanical expenses on higher-mileage diesel vehicles.

First registered in August 2005, this black Volkswagen Bora features a 1896.0cc diesel engine and has covered 148,265 miles by its September 2025 MOT. The vehicle's MOT record shows a sequence of five consecutive passes between 2021 and 2025, with no advisories or failures noted during this period. The recorded mileage sits at an expected level for a twenty-one-year-old diesel commuter car.

No aggregate reliability data is available for the Volkswagen Bora specifically, though the 1.9-litre diesel engine configuration is generally recognized for durability when properly serviced.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns