2003 Volkswagen Sharan · 1,230 MOT tests
2003 Volkswagen Sharan reliability
2003 Volkswagen Sharans fail 52.2% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 18 Sharan years (1,230 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Sharans: 25.4%)
- 52.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Sharans: 25.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 144,139
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,230
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.4% of tests fail here (135% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 38% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan
Fail rate by area
- Suspension28.3%
- Lights and electrics26.3%
- Body, chassis and structure20.9%
- Brakes18.3%
- Steering11.7%
- Tyres8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 9.59%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 9.59%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.32%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed 6.91%
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.96%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.8%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (26.18%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.64%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.9%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.85%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.86%) · Suspension mounting area showing corrosion (8.46%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Sharan year
The full picture: Volkswagen Sharan reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen Sharan, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan reliable?
2003 Volkswagen Sharans fail 52.2% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 18 Sharan years (1,230 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (9.59% of tests), position lamp not working (9.59% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (7.32% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volkswagen Sharan shows 144,139 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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