1998 Volkswagen Sharan — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Volkswagen Sharan passed 71.8% of its 361 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 1.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.2% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 35 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.1% in the 60-90k band and 30.3% in the 150k+ band, a 11.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.9% in 2021 to 22.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.2% | 62 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 47 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 46 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 35 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 35 |
| 2 | Wipers | 18 |
| 3 | Joints | 17 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 17 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 16 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.7% | 136 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.5% | 128 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.9% | 79 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 73 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.1% | 69 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 62 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 42 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 68 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 83 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 221 | 27.2% |
| Petrol | 140 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 88 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | 67 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 44 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 35 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Sharan
On a 1998 Sharan, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Volkswagen Sharans pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 361 1998 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Volkswagen Sharan?
Suspension, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 1998 Sharan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 60-90k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 361 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.