Used car guide

2003 Volkswagen Sharan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volkswagen Sharans, from 187 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 187 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

187MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Volkswagen Sharans than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    20.3% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    25.1% All 2003 cars
    12.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    17.1% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 3.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2003 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    65% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    51% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    22% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    20% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Volkswagen Sharan?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20211,160Tyres 29%
20201,622Tyres 27%
20196,557Tyres 24%
20183,298Tyres 28%
20173,479Tyres 30%
20163,220Tyres 29%
20153,109Suspension 36%
20142,708Suspension 39%
20132,117Suspension 43%
20122,040Suspension 46%
20112,086Suspension 46%
2010602Suspension 61%
2009393Suspension 61%
2008459Suspension 64%
2007533Suspension 67%
2006468Suspension 67%
2005474Suspension 65%
2004297Suspension 66%
2002124Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volkswagen Sharans registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score