2008 Volkswagen Sharan: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Volkswagen Sharan?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Volkswagen Sharan than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  17.9% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 3% of all 2008 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  13.1% All 2008 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Body structure rust or damage5.1× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  8.6% All 2008 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.5% of all 2008 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes9.5× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  7.6% All 2008 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2008 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.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Sharan

  14.6% All 2008 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2008 Volkswagen Sharan MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  62% 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
  40% 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
  37% 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
  36% 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
  19% 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 2008 Volkswagen Sharan

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 2.7× as often on the 2008 Volkswagen Sharan as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2008 Volkswagen Sharan as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2008 Volkswagen Sharan as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?