Volkswagen Sharan MOT Failures

An analysis of 254,009 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volkswagen Sharan — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 7M (1995–2010), 7N (2010–2023).

Where the Volkswagen Sharan fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volkswagen Sharan is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — this model is 22 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 254,009 MOT tests, 0.82% of all Volkswagen Sharan tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include suspension component damaged or corroded (38x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (105x the fleet average), structural corrosion (26x the fleet average), and mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi... (39x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volkswagen Sharan's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Volkswagen Sharan before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Volkswagen Sharan's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Volkswagen Sharan specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (33x the average) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (29x). structural corrosion (26x) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (21x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Volkswagen Sharan specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component damaged or corroded (38x the average) and emissions failure (28x). suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (19x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (18x) also appear frequently.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Volkswagen Sharan specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi... (39x the average) and light unit fault (29x). suspension component with an unsafe modification (26x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (23x) also appear frequently.

The shift from seat mounting fault at lower mileages to mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Volkswagen Sharan specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Structural corrosion affecting vehicle rigidity Dangerous

The Sharan suffers from severe structural corrosion that reduces the rigidity of the vehicle assembly. Affects 7M, 7N; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£4,000.

Subframe mounting corrosion Dangerous

Corrosion around subframe mounting points compromises the structural integrity within 30cm of suspension component mounting areas. Affects 7M, 7N; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£3,000.

Suspension bushes and joint wear Major

The Sharan experiences accelerated wear of suspension bushes, pins and joints. Affects 7M, 7N; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.

Shock absorber failure Major

Shock absorber failure is significantly more common on the Sharan than the general car population. Affects 7M, 7N; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volkswagen Sharan common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Volkswagen Sharan

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volkswagen Sharan:

Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Bodywork — check for structural corrosion, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion affecting vehicle rigidity and subframe mounting corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.