Volkswagen Sharan: what fails at MOT
48,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Sharan in 2024, counted. 22.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
22.5% of Volkswagen Sharan tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 22.9%, so the Sharan is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (5.7% of tests), tyres (5.2% of tests) and lights and electrics (5% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,532 | 15.6% | 10.9% | 22,800 15,400 to 32,800 |
| 2020 | 2,345 | 14.5% | 11.5% | 35,700 24,600 to 48,700 |
| 2019 | 8,555 | 12.7% | 13.4% | 86,000 42,900 to 136,000 |
| 2018 | 4,357 | 15.7% | 15.6% | 63,200 43,100 to 106,600 |
| 2017 | 4,464 | 17.8% | 18.2% | 79,900 55,000 to 132,400 |
| 2016 | 4,254 | 19.8% | 21.3% | 95,600 63,700 to 155,900 |
| 2015 | 4,115 | 25.2% | 24.4% | 99,000 72,100 to 150,100 |
| 2014 | 3,912 | 24.8% | 27.7% | 99,600 72,200 to 145,700 |
| 2013 | 3,139 | 26.4% | 30.6% | 101,700 70,100 to 139,700 |
| 2012 | 2,831 | 28.9% | 33.4% | 99,500 71,900 to 133,600 |
| 2011 | 2,994 | 28.0% | 36.1% | 110,300 75,800 to 145,500 |
| 2010 | 864 | 36.5% | 38.6% | 132,100 103,400 to 164,900 |
| 2009 | 495 | 47.9% | 39.8% | 129,000 102,700 to 167,500 |
| 2008 | 616 | 51.3% | 41.5% | 136,600 110,800 to 162,500 |
| 2007 | 746 | 51.5% | 41.5% | 139,300 112,500 to 172,400 |
| 2006 | 704 | 54.7% | 42.4% | 137,700 112,100 to 163,200 |
| 2005 | 625 | 51.2% | 42.2% | 138,400 106,500 to 164,200 |
| 2004 | 401 | 48.9% | 42.3% | 146,600 112,200 to 185,100 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Sharan tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Sharan | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5.7% | 4.5% |
| Tyres | 5.2% | 4.0% |
| Lights and electrics | 5.0% | 5.7% |
| Brakes | 2.7% | 3.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.1% | 1.6% |
| Body and structure | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.6% | 2.6% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.9%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Engine warning light1.6%
- Headlamp aim1.4%
- Side light1.2%
- Brake pads1.2%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover0.8%
- Headlamp0.8%
- Washers0.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
- Side light: not working1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement10.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.7%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.2%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volkswagen Sharan's own MOT record
Looking at a Sharan? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.