Volkswagen Sharan (2000 - 2010) 2.0 TDI S (140ps) 5d Owner Review

How reliable do you find the car?

Bought second hand with an unknown service history. Problems I've had in three years: Reversing light is useless! You can't see a damned thing in the dark on unlit country roads. I've even replaced the standard bulb with a high power LED unit, but it's still rubbish. I may have to fit auxiliary reversing lamps. Reversing sensors mostly don't work, but you've got mirrors. R/N/S door central locking packed up - sorted under warranty. Oil pump drive shaft failed after 7 months ownership (6 months used car warranty - doh!). The part cost £4 but fitting was £300. A fortnight later, the turbo packed up (probably caused by poor oil flow from oil pump). This cost a lot more to sort out (approx £1200) R/O/S door lock now stuck in locked position, which is a nuisance. Air Con worked perfectly on the UK's hottest day when we drove from the Lake District to London. However, when we stopped in Cambridge, the sensor conked out. That made the rest of the journey down to London a tad moist.... Other than that, it's been OK - I still trust it to get me from A to B, irrespective of the distance.

Does the car do everything you expected it to do?

Fantastically practical car! You can have seven seats, or remove five for a cavernous van (but you'll need somewhere to store them). Tows 2000kg with ease, but hill starts can be tricky (wheel spin). Came with roof rails, which is handy if you need a roof rack to be fitted.