2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volkswagen Sharan MOT pass rate and common faults

1,976 MOT tests in 2024. 68.2% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time68.2%
Failed or needed repairs31.8%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,976 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.6%
    148 marked dangerous
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    89 marked dangerous
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
    62 marked dangerous
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%
  8. Side repeaters: not working1.8%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.5%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension16.5%
  2. Lights & electrics13.6%
  3. Tyres11.4%
  4. Emissions & leaks6.2%
  5. Brakes5.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.9%
  7. Body & chassis2.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn18.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.2%
  5. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened7.4%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2012 Volkswagen Sharan cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 11)69.7%2,023 tests
2024 pass rate (age 12)68.2%1,976 tests
Change in one year−1.5 pointsaverage car: −1.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2012 Volkswagen Sharan is ageing about the same as an average car.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Volkswagen Sharan?

In 2024, 68.2% of 2012 Volkswagen Sharan cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,976 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volkswagen Sharan?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Sharan reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Sharan getting worse with age?

In 2023, 69.7% passed first time. In 2024, 68.2% passed (−1.5 points). An average car that age changed by −1.3 points, so the 2012 Volkswagen Sharan is ageing about the same as average.