Used car guide

2009 Volkswagen Sharan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Volkswagen Sharans, from 393 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 393 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

393MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
8,400typical miles a year
10.8×the usual rate for front strut mounts and bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Volkswagen Sharans than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes10.8× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    9.7% All 2009 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.5× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    10.9% All 2009 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 1.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.8× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    12.2% All 2009 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Body structure rust or damage5.1× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    8.1% All 2009 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Side repeaters5.3× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    7.9% All 2009 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

By area

The share of 2009 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    61% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Volkswagen Sharan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
2008459Suspension 64%
2007533Suspension 67%
2006468Suspension 67%
2005474Suspension 65%
2004297Suspension 66%
2003187Suspension 65%
2002124Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Volkswagen Sharans registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score