VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,401 MOT tests from 113 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN has the same fault.

VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN's have a average reliability rating of 488/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN.

VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN (example)

Check a Volkswagen Sharan before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	671/999Good	88,205 miles	1,984 vehicles
N/A	N/A	622/999Good	91,848 miles	2,231 vehicles
N/A	N/A	575/999Above average	82,407 miles	2,250 vehicles
N/A	N/A	542/999Above average	83,603 miles	2,124 vehicles
N/A	N/A	520/999Above average	87,833 miles	1,806 vehicles
N/A	N/A	509/999Above average	92,813 miles	1,271 vehicles
N/A	N/A	404/999Average	97,678 miles	1,155 vehicles
N/A	N/A	403/999Average	84,533 miles	602 vehicles
N/A	N/A	399/999Fair	79,916 miles	586 vehicles
N/A	N/A	365/999Fair	91,404 miles	2,602 vehicles
N/A	N/A	361/999Fair	94,251 miles	1,919 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN?

Based on 1,401 MOT tests from 113 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

113

MOT tests

1,401

Pass rate

79.9%

Median mileage

110,919 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 634 out of 999.

Common VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 228 advisory comments and 15 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 61 advisory comments and 20 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 52 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 30 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 20 advisory comments and 8 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 16 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2019	11	76	92.1%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2017	11	140	84.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2016	5	53	88.7%	Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
2015	13	148	84.5%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2014	10	152	80.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2013	13	162	79%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2012	14	150	82.7%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2011	10	139	74.1%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2010	5	90	77.8%	Brake disc wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLKSWAGEN SHARANs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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