Volkswagen Sharan 1.9TD

"If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen"

Well, based on our experience I am glad that everything else in life seems to be infitely MORE reliable than my accursed Sharan. What a good car it could have been if it had been put together a little better, using better components. In three years we have experienced the following:

* Overheating clutch when the car had done fewer than 2000 miles

* Broken rear seat belt retainers after about 5000 miles. Replaced only for the replacements to break, too

* Broken rear stowage locker lid after about 20000 miles. Dealer said only way to repair was to replace entire boot trim so we didn't bother

* Dripping fluid in passenger footwell, Dealer swore blind it was due to leaves in the ventilation grilles and that it would take a full two days to strip down and a further couple to dry off. Since discovered it was an overflowing condensation tray in the air conditioning and should have been covered by warranty (now expired)

* Broken bracket that connects drivers seat to adjustment runners. It's only a bit of bent metal but apparently you need to buy an entire seat frame to fix it

* Multiple indistinguishable rattles and ticks

* Radio that only receives AM signal when it feels like it

* Engine that burns oil faster than I can drink beer

So would I recommend one to a friend? Not a chance. To an enemy? Definitely.

Never again.

Build quality is rubbish on the VW Sharan. This not a one off. I checked out others at the showroom and all have the same faults. The dashboard trim comes loose.

If you do not have central locking the key goes stiff in the locks when wet.The aluminium in the black window trims always bubbles up over time making the trim unattractive.The coating on the internal door handles peels off.The internal boot lid comes loose (& the dealer can never clip it back correctly).The clips on the internal rear light cover where you gain entry to change bulbs always break due to the cover being made out of rubbish cardboard covered in plastic.Behind middle row of seats are two clips to hold back the seat belts.These break as the spring in the clip is metal but the bar is plastic and weaker than the spring.The genuine vw car mats wear out (drivers one wore out in 6000miles)the clips that retain the headlights break off as they are clipped onto the plastic which is weaker and breaks.the air conditioning pump is noisy on the petrol model.the window winders on the middle row seats come loose and always open the window slightly,ideal for the nights when it has been raining !!The driver / passenger seat runners wear out causing movement in the seat base.the exhaust is noisy on the petrol version when started from cold,sounds like it is blowing (dealer states this is a charactoristic !!).The vehicle burns oil (dealer states thats normal 1litre for every 600miles)Not one component is made by VW.All parts appear to be made by a company called AF and made in quality countries like POLAND !!The grab handles break along with the sun sheilds.When on the run every possible parts shakes rattles and rolls.I have not known a car with so many annoying rattles

Overall this could be a great car if they did not scrimp and save on the build quality and built it with VW parts in germany,not spain

My current sharan is my second and I'm about to order my third. For the six years I've had them I have only had one problem where my first one developed a turbo fault, which was replaced without a problem. I keep trying other MPVs but have not found one that matches the Sharan for comfort, driving position etc etc. I'm about to get the 130PS carat which I am sure will complete 9 years of happy driving. I've had lots of different "drivers" cars, but the Sharan is the only one that my wife has actually enjoyed driving. The only comment with my current 115 turbo diesel is that pulling away in first gear can be a little slow, however, the relaxed cruise in 6th gear far out weighs that little glitch.