Second Hand Volkswagen Sharan Curtain Airbag

Yes, curtain airbags were fitted to the Volkswagen Sharan across both its generations, though fitment varied by trim level and market specification — not all variants had them as standard. The Sharan ran from 1995–2010 as the first generation (Mk1, facelift around 2000), and from 2010 onwards as the second generation (Mk2). If you're unsure whether your specific car was built with curtain airbags, check your V5C or confirm with a breaker quoting against your registration.

These two cars belong to different generations — the 2008 is a Mk1 (first generation, 1995–2010) and the 2012 is a Mk2 (second generation, 2010 onwards), which are structurally different vehicles with different interior architecture. A curtain airbag from a Mk1 will not fit a Mk2, so you need to source from the correct generation. Always confirm compatibility with the breaker quoting against your registration, as module compatibility with your specific SRS system also needs to be verified.

Trim level can affect whether curtain airbags were fitted at all, as higher-specification trims such as SE, SEL, and Executive on the Mk2 were more likely to include curtain airbags as standard than entry-level variants. The airbag units themselves are mounted to the roofline and roof rail rather than being seat-specific, so trim-related differences are mainly about whether the part is present rather than it being a different part number across trims. Confirm with your breaker that the donor car had curtain airbags fitted by checking against your registration.

No — the engine has no bearing on curtain airbag fitment, as this is purely an interior safety component tied to the car's body structure and specification level. Whether your Sharan has a petrol or diesel engine, the curtain airbag you need is determined by generation and trim. Focus your search on matching the generation and confirming the side (nearside or offside) you need.

Yes, side is critical — nearside (NS, left/passenger side) and offside (OS, right/driver side) curtain airbags are different parts and are not interchangeable. Make sure you specify which side you need when requesting quotes from breakers. The Sharan is a five-door MPV in both generations, so both sides should be available from most dismantled cars.

Curtain airbags are safety-critical components and we strongly recommend professional fitting by a qualified technician — incorrect installation can cause the airbag to fail to deploy or to deploy unexpectedly, both of which are extremely dangerous. Curtain airbags are single-use items; if the unit from the donor car has been deployed, it cannot be refitted and the breaker should confirm the part is undeployed before supplying it. You should also have the SRS system checked and any fault codes cleared after fitting, which requires specialist diagnostic equipment.