2002 Volkswagen Bora SE 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

My B---dy Bora

Faults:

Suspension bushes.

Wear on side bolster of the driver's seat.

General Comments:

Overall a quiet place to be.

Reasonable acceleration.

Beautifully illuminated dash.

Lots of toys, but why on earth is climate control missing? Just air con is penny pinching, as the basic Passat gets climate.

I have NO faith in VW dealers in prepping used cars. I collected mine two weeks after buying, no glovebox light (strange, did the previous seller nick it and sell it on eBay?), O/S mirror inoperble and rattling.

Got cruise control fitted a month after buying, only to be told that the rear suspension bushes were "separated" - MOT failure, WHY CHECK BUSHES when having cruise fitted? All fixed by supplying dealer though, but PLENTY of inconvenience.

Not a patch on the way Volvo hand over a used car, they're superb.

I will not buy another VW, especially as my wife bought a used Polo 2006 1.2 S and that was very badly prepared. After complaints, we eventually got all new seats, engine fixed and bodywork properly prepared.

VW dealers just get a used car, sling it on forecourt at an inflated price and HOPE you do not notice its MANY faults.

However, the 2 litre SE gives a good ride, but you do feel hemmed in, but it's quiet.

Strangely I get a funny grinding noise if I pull away with anything other than light revs.

My next car is a VOLVO for sure.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th December, 2008

19th May 2020, 17:05

I need some advice. I want to buy a Volkswagen Jetta 2002 or Bora 1999. Please I need experienced people that will advise me for the best.

19th May 2020, 21:05

Depends where you are in the world. In the USA they seem to have reliability issues - quite a few negative reviews on here about them. Maybe they were built elsewhere other than Germany for the American market.

UK however it is a different story, any VW from the late 90s or early 2000's is generally a good car if looked after. Diesels are good, but costly to repair if you get turbo or other issues. A smaller petrol engined version might be preferable if you do not drive much, makes more sense economically. Most are well equipped, nice cars to drive.

Choose carefully and try to find a looked after example with history, and do not pay too much - cars from this time period are not worth much, no matter what anyone tells you.