2003 Volkswagen Sharan — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,864 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Volkswagen Sharan, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 66.5% was below the average for MPVs of a similar age (69.4%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.9% | 598 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 580 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 457 |
| 4 | Brakes | 14.3% | 411 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.7% | 249 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.6% | 189 |
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 | 406 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 288 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 271 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 252 |
| 5 | Joints | 221 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 209 |
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 | 45.4% | 1,300 |
| 2 | Suspension | 45.1% | 1,291 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 812 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.5% | 759 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.8% | 567 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 503 |
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 | 66 | 31.8% |
| 60-90k | 220 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 533 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 775 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,254 | 35.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,469 | 33.9% |
| Petrol | 394 | 31.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,059 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 738 | 33.6% |
| 2023 | 480 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 343 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 244 | 33.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Sharan
Before buying a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 20.9% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (20.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.0% 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 2003 Volkswagen Sharans pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 2,864 2003 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan?
Suspension, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (20.3%).
Does the 2003 Sharan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.8% in the 30-60k band to 35.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,864 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.