Volkswagen Sharan (2003)
2003 Volkswagen Sharan
CarHunch analysed 3,756 real MOT records for the 2003 Volkswagen Sharan. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Volkswagen Sharan has a first-time pass rate of 70.3%, which is significantly below the UK average of 80% and suggests above-average reliability concerns for a vehicle of this age. More worryingly, 39.1% of these Sharans have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, well above acceptable levels and a genuine safety consideration for any buyer.
At 107,444 miles on average, these vehicles have travelled reasonably for their age, but they're accumulating an average of 5.47 failures and 30.4 advisories per test, indicating that wear items and minor faults are mounting steadily. Before committing to purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus specifically on the suspension, brake system, and emissions equipment—the most common failure categories for this model—and budget for imminent repairs rather than assuming a sound example.
What to check before buying a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 39.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volkswagen Sharan
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (89%) | 3,341 | 70.3% | 5.5 |
| Petrol (11%) | 409 | 70.9% | 5.27 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 64.2% | 6 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 73% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Volkswagen Sharan vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Volkswagen Sharan vehicles fall between 88,071 and 127,740 miles.
2003 Volkswagen Sharan — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 171 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Volkswagen Sharan
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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89.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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85.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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72%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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70.8%
Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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60.8%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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60.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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57.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Sharan?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.