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Volkswagen Sharan steering problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 17,022 MOT tests · Updated

At 6 years, 0.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Volkswagen Sharan failed on steering, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 17,022 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 29 MOT tests with a fail
  • When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 15 years and at every older age seen
  • MOT tests at 6 years: 17,022 for the Volkswagen Sharan

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

Volkswagen Sharan steering fails by age

Volkswagen Sharan steering fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Volkswagen Sharan. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.053 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 0.1), 9,569 MOT tests34 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.2), 12,843 MOT tests5 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 15,272 MOT tests56 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.5), 17,022 MOT tests7 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 0.8), 13,612 MOT tests78 years: 0.4 per 100 (all cars 1.2), 13,076 MOT tests9 years: 0.5 per 100 (all cars 1.8), 11,637 MOT tests910 years: 0.6 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 10,187 MOT tests11 years: 0.5 per 100 (all cars 2.5), 9,151 MOT tests1112 years: 0.7 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 7,160 MOT tests13 years: 1.3 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 5,615 MOT tests1314 years: 2.2 per 100 (all cars 3.2), 4,179 MOT tests15 years: 5.1 per 100 (all cars 3.3), 3,024 MOT tests1516 years: 6.3 per 100 (all cars 3.4), 3,059 MOT tests17 years: 6.7 per 100 (all cars 3.6), 3,362 MOT tests1718 years: 8.1 per 100 (all cars 3.9), 3,017 MOT tests19 years: 8.0 per 100 (all cars 4.1), 2,321 MOT tests1920 years: 8.1 per 100 (all cars 4.2), 1,646 MOT tests
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Volkswagen Sharan All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
39,5690.10.1
412,8430.20.2
515,2720.10.3
617,0220.20.5
713,6120.30.8
813,0760.41.2
911,6370.51.8
1010,1870.62.1
119,1510.52.5
127,1600.72.8
135,6151.32.9
144,1792.23.2
153,0245.13.3
163,0596.33.4
173,3626.73.6
183,0178.13.9
19*2,3218.04.1
20*1,6468.14.2

All first-use years of the Volkswagen Sharan pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the steering at 6 years

Advisories (not fails)

Replace track rod end cost

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
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See a sample report

By engine and fuel

  • 2.0 diesel: 0.1 per 100 at 6 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 14,737 MOT tests)

How to check on a test drive

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Play in steering rack inner joint(s).

Check one Volkswagen Sharan, not the average

The figures here describe Volkswagen Sharan cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Volkswagen Sharan problems

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Volkswagen Sharan have more steering problems than other cars?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 17,022 MOT tests).

How common are Volkswagen Sharan steering problems?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on steering, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 17,022 MOT tests).

At what age do Volkswagen Sharan steering fails start?

15 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 16,429 MOT tests.

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 145,752 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare