2004 Volkswagen Bora 1.9L Diesel · LE04 LKX

This twenty-two year old Volkswagen Bora presents an unusually clean DVSA roadworthiness record, with no advisories or component-specific defects logged across any of its documented tests. The most recent examination on 17 December 2024 resulted in a pass with no defects recorded, and the same clean outcome was repeated at the November 2023, November 2022, and November 2021 tests. A single failure is recorded on 16 November 2021, but it was followed by a pass just eight days later on 24 November 2021, suggesting a minor rectification issue that was promptly resolved rather than a structural or mechanical deficiency. The absence of recurring advisories for suspension components, brake pipes, underbody corrosion, or exhaust integrity across multiple consecutive tests is a strong indicator that the vehicle has remained mechanically sound and structurally intact through to its present mileage. With 128,383 miles accumulated over an approximate twenty-two year life, the Bora averages around 5,836 miles annually, which is notably low for its age and points to either extended periods of light use or intermittent standing between journeys. The MOT testing record shows annual examinations from 2021 through 2024 without significant mileage gaps implied between tests, indicating the vehicle has been kept on the road consistently and used sufficiently to prevent the long-term deterioration often associated with laid-up vehicles. That said, low annual mileage on a car of this age still places age-related wear factors into consideration, particularly in rubber and polymer components that degrade with time rather than distance, such as bushes, gaiters, and flexible sections of the exhaust and intake system. The combination of consistent road use and low mileage accumulation is generally favourable for the major mechanical assemblies, including the engine and gearbox, which typically suffer most from high annual mileage rather than calendar age alone. For a prospective buyer, the absence of flagged components in the MOT history makes it essential to direct inspection effort toward items that would not necessarily be evident during a standard DVSA test or that may have developed since the December 2024 examination. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to the suspension, listening for any clonks or knocking from the front struts, top mounts, and anti-roll bar linkages as these are common wear items on Mk4 platform vehicles of this vintage. Steering response should be checked for vagueness or any knocking through the rack under load, and the front lower wishbone bushes and rear trailing arm bushes should be visually inspected for cracking or perishing, as these degrade with age irrespective of mileage. Brake feel should be assessed for a soft pedal or judder under application, which would suggest corroded discs or seized caliper slide pins, both of which are common on low-mileage vehicles that have seen extended periods of light use. Additional checks should focus on age-related deterioration that the MOT record cannot fully capture, including a thorough underbody examination for any emerging surface corrosion on the subframe, rear beam mounting points, and brake pipe runs, as these areas are particularly vulnerable on a vehicle of this era and climate exposure. Inspect the engine bay for any signs of oil seepage from the cam chain tensioner, valve cover gasket, and sump plug area, and listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start which is a known concern on higher mileage 1.6 and 2.0 petrol engines fitted to the Bora. The condition of the coolant and expansion tank should be examined for any signs of crystallisation or staining, and the radiator and heater matrix should be checked for leakage given the age of the cooling system. Finally, confirm that the cam belt and water pump replacement interval has been observed, as this is a critical maintenance item on this platform and any documentary evidence of recent replacement would significantly strengthen the overall mechanical assessment of the vehicle.