2001 Volkswagen Sharan — MOT failures & pass rate
925 MOT tests on the 2001 Volkswagen Sharan are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.7% of the time, so this is 1.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.8%) and suspension (17.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 88 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 Sharan fails 28.2% of the time in the 30-60k band and 30.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.9% in 2021 to 29.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 165 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.3% | 160 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 119 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.7% | 90 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.8% | 81 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 61 |
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 | 88 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 73 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 70 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 57 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 47 |
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 | 42.8% | 396 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.0% | 379 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.5% | 254 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.9% | 221 |
| 5 | Other defects | 23.0% | 213 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 133 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 39 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 136 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 230 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 303 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 594 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 331 | 34.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 337 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 235 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 171 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 101 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 81 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Sharan
On a 2001 Sharan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2001 Volkswagen Sharans pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 925 2001 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Volkswagen Sharan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (17.3%).
Does the 2001 Sharan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 925 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.