Corrosion

[Evileye]

Is there any year for the Mk2 Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra when the vehicles were better protected against corrosion? I have seen a few for sale with corrosion around wheelarches and often, when checking MOT history many have had issues of corrosion such as "nearside front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded". I know all these models were built in the same factory but my perception (correct me if I am wrong) but post 2003 seem to be better and Sharans & Alhambras seem to be worse for wheelarch corrosion.
I have my eye on a 2004 Alhambra with 129,000 on the clock. Looks OK in advert pictures and MOT history looks OK too.

[KingyMAK]

The arch corrosion was a VAG problem mainly, as they used foam for sound deadening;
The foam got wet from the arch-liner, if it was freezing it'd crack and expand, making it worse.
Water gets in from under and rust eats it up!

[Mirez]

Neither the Galaxy, Sharan or Alhambra in mk1/mk2 guise where galvanised due to the collaboration so you would need to look for a mk3 if you want true protection.