Used car guide

2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen Sharan first registered in 2001 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 174 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 174 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

174MOTs of 2001 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Sharan
    19.5% All 2001 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 3.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    52% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    18% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Sharan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Sharan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Sharan compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2022–Too few tests
20212,396Tyres 31%
20204,821Tyres 30%
201919,577Tyres 22%
20189,909Tyres 28%
201710,555Tyres 29%
20169,880Tyres 30%
20159,460Tyres 34%
20148,432Tyres 36%
20136,592Suspension 39%
20126,079Suspension 40%
20116,389Suspension 43%
20101,997Suspension 57%
20091,435Suspension 58%
20081,719Suspension 62%
20072,173Suspension 63%
20062,027Suspension 64%
20052,078Suspension 63%
20041,326Suspension 64%
2003815Suspension 61%
2002548Suspension 60%
2000104Suspension 60%
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Sharan cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score