2009 Volkswagen Sharan — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,778 MOT tests, the 2009 Volkswagen Sharan recorded a 70.1% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 27.0% of the time, so this is 3.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.4%) and suspension (16.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 339 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.2% versus 24.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 697 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.9% | 639 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 368 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 368 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 234 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 211 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 339 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 291 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 232 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 183 |
| 5 | Washers | 180 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 171 |
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 | 42.5% | 1,604 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 1,057 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.9% | 1,054 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.8% | 595 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.6% | 552 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 440 |
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 | 130 | 24.6% |
| 60-90k | 488 | 28.9% |
| 90-120k | 910 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,017 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,226 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,697 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 81 | 32.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 952 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 888 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 766 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 658 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 514 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Sharan
On a 2009 Sharan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.9% 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.
- Brakes (9.7% 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.
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 2009 Volkswagen Sharans pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 3,778 2009 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volkswagen Sharan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.9%).
Does the 2009 Sharan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,778 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.