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What to check: Volkswagen Sharan

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ABy miles

Ranked across all years of the Volkswagen Sharan, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 22.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

LeaksRuns high on this modelLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 3.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 3.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

Underneath, with a torchRuns high on this modelGet down and look at the sills, the subframes and the rear suspension mounting points. Flaking scale and bubbling matter; light surface rust does not. On older cars this is the one check that finds the fault that scraps them.Recorded on 3.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.7%

DampersLook for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 1.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.3%

Warning lights on ignitionRuns high on this modelTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 1.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.4%

Lights and horn walkroundWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 1.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 28.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 9.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 8.7%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Check the AdBlue/emissions warning light comes on and clears properly, and ask when the AdBlue heater was last touched.A light that won't clear or a vague answer points at the AdBlue heater fault.

Ask for proof of the NOx emissions recall fix and whether any EGR, DPF or turbo work followed it.No paperwork means you can't tell if the follow-on faults have already been dealt with or are still coming.

On a DSG automatic, ask for a dated invoice for the gearbox oil and filter change, not just a general service record.No DSG-specific service history on a car past 40,000 miles is a real risk of an expensive box failure down the line.

Watch the dash for a DPF or limp-mode warning during the test drive, especially on a longer run.A DPF light or the car pulling back power suggests the filter or turbo is already struggling.

Try every steering wheel button, the horn, and both electric mirrors.Dead controls or a stuck mirror point at the steering wheel control unit or wiring faults owners report.

Ask if it's a manual or DSG and price the service history accordingly.A DSG with no fluid change history needs a much bigger price adjustment than a manual with the same mileage.

Full Volkswagen Sharan reliability report