At a Glance
The Volkswagen Sharan has 40 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1995-2010) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 749K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volkswagen Sharan common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volkswagen Sharan generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volkswagen Sharan Generations
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Most Common Volkswagen Sharan MOT Failures
Every reason Volkswagen Sharan vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.00% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.62% |
| 3 | Stop lamp not working | 6.15% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 6.02% |
| 5 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.96% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.37% |
| 7 | Exhaust system fault | 5.27% |
| 8 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.55% |
| 9 | Track rod end worn | 4.17% |
| 10 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.56% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.29% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.28% |
| 13 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.20% |
| 14 | Driveshaft fault | 2.17% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.13% |
| 16 | Front lamp not working | 1.92% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.75% |
| 18 | Position lamp not working | 1.62% |
| 19 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.62% |
| 20 | Rear lamp not working | 1.51% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.24% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.14% |
| 23 | Fog lamp not working | 1.10% |
| 24 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.05% |
| 25 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.95% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.92% |
| 27 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.88% |
| 28 | Chassis condition | 0.86% |
| 29 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.86% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.79% |
| 31 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.76% |
| 32 | Headlamp fault | 0.71% |
| 33 | ABS fault | 0.66% |
| 34 | Steering rack fault | 0.60% |
| 35 | Airbag warning light on | 0.59% |
| 36 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.56% |
| 37 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.55% |
| 38 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.44% |
| 39 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.39% |
| 40 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.34% |
| 41 | Seat belt condition | 0.34% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.33% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.32% |
| 44 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.30% |
| 45 | Parking brake condition | 0.28% |
| 46 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.23% |
| 47 | Front suspension fault | 0.23% |
| 48 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 49 | Rear suspension fault | 0.19% |
| 50 | Horn not working | 0.19% |
| 51 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.16% |
| 52 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 53 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 54 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.11% |
| 55 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 56 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Steering operation fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 60 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.07% |
| 62 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 65 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 66 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 67 | Drag link end worn | 0.06% |
| 68 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 69 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 73 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 75 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 78 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 79 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 80 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 82 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 84 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 85 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 90 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 91 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 93 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 95 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 96 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 97 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 108 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 117 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 123 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 134 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 155 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 166 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 172 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 185 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 185 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volkswagen Sharan MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volkswagen Sharan, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volkswagen Sharan problems?
Based on analysis of 749K Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 40 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Front lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Volkswagen Sharan generation has the most problems?
The Volkswagen Sharan Mk1 (1995-2010) (1995–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (48). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volkswagen Sharan?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volkswagen Sharan owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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