Diesel Volkswagen Sharan: MOT pass rate

79.3% of diesel Volkswagen Sharans pass the MOT first time, measured across 30,573 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 116,388.

Diesel against the other Volkswagen Sharan versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volkswagen Sharan specifically, petrol is the strongest at 84.8%, and this diesel version sits 0.9 points below the 80.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volkswagen Sharan had covered 116,388 miles at test, against 52,003 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volkswagen Sharan page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volkswagen Sharan

1. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 1.1% of tests (2.69x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.9% of tests (2.33x the national rate for this defect)
3. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.5% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.1% of tests (2.2x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.7% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.8% of tests (1.51x the national rate for this defect)
7. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.8% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
8. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.6% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.3% of tests

From 30,793 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Sharan tests, 2024, split out from the Volkswagen Sharan's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.81% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volkswagen Sharan

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 27.7% of tests (2.07x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 1% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this defect)
3. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.1% of tests (1.65x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.4% of tests (1.56x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 7.6% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.4% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 12.2% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 9.1% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 8.5% of tests, also fails

From 30,793 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Sharan tests, 2024.

Other Volkswagen Sharan fuel types

• Petrol Volkswagen Sharan - 84.8%

All Volkswagen Sharan MOT data · Every model