2021 Volkswagen Sharan — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,737 MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Sharan recorded an 88.9% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 10.4%, so the 2021 Sharan sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.1% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 70 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Sharan fails 8.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 167 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 66 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.2% | 59 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 42 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 36 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 70 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 53 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 39 |
| 5 | Wipers | 34 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.4% | 696 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 345 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.5% | 261 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.4% | 229 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 75 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 34 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,474 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,037 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 177 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,673 | 11.1% |
| Diesel | 64 | 12.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 63 | 1.6% |
| 2024 | 1,338 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 1,298 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Sharan
On a 2021 Sharan, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.2% 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 2021 Volkswagen Sharans pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 2,737 2021 Volkswagen Sharan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Sharan?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.4%).
Does the 2021 Sharan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,737 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.