2012 Volkswagen Sharan MOT pass rate: 74.0% (6,028 tests)
Is the 2012 Sharan getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 74.6% +2.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 74.6% +3.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 72.8% +2.5 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Sharan
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,294 | 33.8% |
| 2 | Tyres | 798 | 20.8% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 620 | 16.2% |
| 4 | Brakes | 356 | 9.3% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 347 | 9.1% |
| 6 | Visibility | 136 | 3.5% |
All Sharan years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,010 | 58.2% | -6.2 pts | 140,059 |
| 2006 | 1,978 | 56.4% | -8.0 pts | 136,548 |
| 2007 | 2,127 | 56.9% | -8.2 pts | 137,627 |
| 2008 | 1,696 | 57.8% | -7.3 pts | 134,527 |
| 2010 | 1,988 | 64.5% | -2.9 pts | 133,391 |
| 2011 | 6,345 | 73.7% | +4.5 pts | 114,411 |
| 2012 (this page) | 6,028 | 74.0% | +2.8 pts | 104,882 |
| 2013 | 6,551 | 74.6% | +1.2 pts | 106,346 |
| 2014 | 8,384 | 78.2% | +2.3 pts | 101,589 |
| 2015 | 9,395 | 80.1% | +1.4 pts | 98,626 |
| 2016 | 9,822 | 83.6% | +2.3 pts | 92,820 |
| 2017 | 10,511 | 85.9% | +1.9 pts | 82,000 |
| 2018 | 9,764 | 88.0% | +1.7 pts | 64,304 |
| 2019 | 18,939 | 91.3% | +2.9 pts | 89,844 |
| 2020 | 3,986 | 87.5% | -2.4 pts | 34,865 |
| 2021 | 2,324 | 87.2% | -3.2 pts | 27,839 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volkswagen Sharan years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2012 Volkswagen Sharan reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 74.0% of their MOT tests (6,028 tests, 2023–2025), +2.8 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 104,882 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Sharan?
The median tested example shows 104,882 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 Sharan?
In this cohort petrols pass 83.7% of tests against 71.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.