Used car guide

2010 Volkswagen Sharan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Volkswagen Sharans, from 602 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

602MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
9,400typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Volkswagen Sharans than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    22.8% All 2010 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Shock absorbers1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    15.1% All 2010 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Suspension arm2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    10.6% All 2010 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes6.9× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    5.5% All 2010 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2010 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.

  • Side repeaters3.6× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    5.1% All 2010 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.9% of all 2010 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 2010 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
    35% 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
    31% 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
    30% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20211,160Tyres 29%
20201,622Tyres 27%
20196,557Tyres 24%
20183,298Tyres 28%
20173,479Tyres 30%
20163,220Suspension 29%
20153,109Suspension 36%
20142,708Suspension 39%
20132,117Suspension 43%
20122,040Suspension 46%
20112,086Suspension 46%
2007533Suspension 67%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Volkswagen Sharans registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score