2004 Volkswagen Bora 1.9L Diesel · RY04 HWT

The defining mechanical story of this 2004 Volkswagen Bora is one of low-severity presentation and visibility defects rather than any structural or safety-critical deterioration. Across the recorded tests, the only failures have been a headlamp aim issue (too low on the nearside front in April 2024) and a windscreen washer delivering insufficient fluid (June 2025), with the latter representing a straightforward rectification on the same day as the pass. The April 2024 entry also carries a minor advisory for a slightly defective nearside front headlamp lens, and the May 2023 test noted an offside front wiper blade defect. None of these items relate to braking, suspension, steering, tyres, exhaust integrity, or corrosion, and there are no advisories concerning oil leaks, binding components, or worn structural areas. This is a relatively clean but ultimately shallow dataset, reflecting only three test events within a two-year window. With a recorded mileage of 160,824 miles spread across approximately 22 years, the vehicle averages around 7,300 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this age. The test history is thin, with gaps between the May 2023, April 2024, and June 2025 entries, and the mileage accumulation between these recorded tests is not large enough to suggest any sudden long-distance use or extended periods off the road. However, the limited number of recorded inspections means that wear items such as bushes, dampers, brake discs and pads, and exhaust mounting points have not been independently scrutinised under DVSA criteria during this window. The annual accumulation rate suggests steady, ordinary use rather than any extreme low-mileage standing, so consumable wear consistent with around 7,000 miles per year should be expected on braking and suspension components. From a buyer perspective, the components flagged in the MOT history are minor and primarily cosmetic in nature, but they do warrant physical inspection at the point of purchase. The nearside front headlamp assembly should be checked for correct beam pattern and aim, as well as any condensation inside the lens or visible cracking, given that an aim fault was recorded in 2024. The offside front wiper blade and the washer system should be confirmed as fully operational, with the reservoir topped up and nozzles clear before any test drive. On the road, the test drive should focus on any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar links, drop links, or top mount bearings common to vehicles of this age and mileage. Steering should be checked for any excess play or vagueness around the straight-ahead position, and the brakes should be assessed for any pulling to one side, judder through the pedal under firm application, or grinding that would suggest worn pads or scored discs. Although the official record is broadly favourable, it is not extensive, and the high recorded mileage means that items not recently inspected under MOT criteria deserve close attention. A thorough pre-purchase inspection should include lifting the vehicle to examine the front subframe, suspension arms, and anti-roll bar for any surface corrosion or perished rubber bushes, as well as checking the exhaust system for blowing gases at joints and weakened mounting rubbers. Brake discs should be measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping or run-out, as the MOT history does not contain any recorded brake condition data. Given the age, a check for oil leaks from the cam chain tensioner area, sump, and rocker cover gasket is advisable, along with an inspection of coolant hoses and the radiator for any signs of deterioration. Finally, a diagnostic read of any stored fault codes and a compression test would provide further confidence given the accumulated mileage, even though the recorded MOT outcomes themselves contain no significant mechanical concerns.