2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  17.2% All 2007 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.4× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  13.2% All 2007 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Body structure rust or damage5.4× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  10.8% All 2007 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

• Chassis rust or damage4.7× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  10.4% All 2007 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

• Front strut mounts and bushes11× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  7.7% All 2007 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

Common 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  63% 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
  37% 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
  36% 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
  25% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  18% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the 2007 Volkswagen Sharan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?