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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Sharan (2018)

2,760 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.2% first-time pass rate

2018 Volkswagen Sharan

CarHunch analysed 2,760 real MOT records for the 2018 Volkswagen Sharan. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2018 Volkswagen Sharan passes its MOT first time in 87.4% of cases, comfortably above the UK average of 80%—a solid reliability picture undermined by a concerning finding: nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable. Both diesel and petrol versions perform similarly (87.3% and 87.7% pass rates respectively), so fuel choice makes no meaningful difference here.

At a median mileage of 50,654 miles for a six-year-old vehicle, these Sharans are running at a typical pace for the age. The average of 0.96 failures per test and 7.3 advisories per vehicle suggests routine wear items rather than structural problems, but given the dangerous defect prevalence, you should have any used example inspected by a VW-familiar mechanic and request its full MOT history before committing to purchase.

The 2018 Volkswagen Sharan has a decent first-time pass rate (88.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
88.2%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
29.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.96
Over 7.6 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
51k
Middle half: 36k–74k
For context
✅ Good baseline reliability. A 88.2% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,760 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,760 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 48.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 28.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 22%
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 13.1%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,760 Volkswagen Sharan cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2018 Volkswagen Sharan

Based on MOT data from 2,760 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic →
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (80%) 2,213 88.3% 0.98
Petrol (20%) 547 87.9% 0.88

Colour Breakdown

Based on 83,093 Volkswagen Sharan vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 24.5%
20,351
Blue 23%
19,148
Black 20.9%
17,385
Grey 15%
12,426
Green 7%
5,832
Red 5.4%
4,467
White 3.4%
2,807
Brown 0.5%
396
Gold 0.2%
205
Beige 0.1%
47
Maroon 0%
16
Purple 0%
13

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Volkswagen Sharan vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,654
typical
36,476
low mileage
74,401
high mileage

Half of all 2018 Volkswagen Sharan vehicles fall between 36,476 and 74,401 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
✓ Under 36,476 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
✓ 36,476–74,401 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Volkswagen Sharans sit.
⚠ Over 100,441 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Volkswagen Sharan — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Volkswagen Sharans are still on the road.

Strong survival — 2,636 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.

480 2,636 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.96
Avg failures per vehicle
7.3
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Volkswagen Sharan: All Sharan years → Which year to buy? →
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Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Volkswagen Sharan stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing