1999 Volkswagen Sharan — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 266 MOT tests, the 1999 Volkswagen Sharan recorded a 62.0% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.5% of the time, so this is 8.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.4%) and brakes (16.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, component mounting prescribed areas and pins and bushes — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 29 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 38.6% in the 90-120k band and 34.4% in the 150k+ band, a 4.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 33.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 45.6% in 2023, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.4% | 49 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 45 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 40 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 33 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.3% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 29 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 25 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 21 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 20 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 19 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.2% | 115 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.1% | 104 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.4% | 81 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.6% | 60 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 52 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 57 | 38.6% |
| 120-150k | 61 | 39.3% |
| 150k+ | 90 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 140 | 35.7% |
| Petrol | 126 | 40.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 75 | 42.7% |
| 2023 | 46 | 45.6% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Sharan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.4% 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 (16.9% 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 (15.0% 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 1999 Volkswagen Sharans pass their MOT?
62.0% of the 266 1999 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 38.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Volkswagen Sharan?
Suspension, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by brakes (16.9%).
Does the 1999 Sharan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 38.6% in the 90-120k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 266 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.