Used car guide · 1996–2026

Volkswagen Sharan common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Sharan, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 108,586 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1997 Volkswagen Sharan

Too few Volkswagen Sharan cars first registered in 1997 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volkswagen Sharan as a whole.

222on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1997 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Sharan?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common Volkswagen Sharan MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 8.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

Volkswagen Sharan MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2011 Volkswagen Sharan did best (68% passed first time, 6 points above all 2011 cars) and the 2009 did worst (50%, 9 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202185%87% -22,396
202085%87% -24,821
201987%85% +219,577
201884%83% +19,909
201782%80% +210,555
201679%77% +29,880
201576%74% +29,460
201473%70% +38,432
201370%67% +36,592
201269%64% +56,079
201168%62% +66,389
201057%60% -31,997
200950%59% -91,435
200849%57% -81,719
200749%57% -82,173
200647%56% -92,027
200550%57% -72,078
200452%57% -51,326
200348%57% -9815
200252%58% -6548
200155%60% -5274 (small sample)
200051%61% -10104 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Sharan

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the DSG had any work?
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 8.6× as often on the Volkswagen Sharan as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the Volkswagen Sharan as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the Volkswagen Sharan as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Sharan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score