Van · 1999–2021 cars
Volkswagen Crafter reliability
The Volkswagen Crafter fails 29.7% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 20,079 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Crafter before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 20,079
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 12,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Crafter ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Crafters of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Crafter | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 20.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 21.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 23.9% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 26.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 31.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 38% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 34.4% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 36.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 38.2% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 35% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 35.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 39.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 36.5% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Crafter years
2007 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 648 | 13.1% | 17% fewer fails | 44,493 |
| 2019 Crafter | 1,290 | 17% | 3% more fails | 47,192 |
| 2018 Crafter | 1,316 | 16.6% | 13% fewer fails | 65,424 |
| 2017 | 895 | 22.5% | 5% more fails | 76,593 |
| 2016 Crafter | 1,297 | 23.4% | 5% fewer fails | 86,711 |
| 2015 Crafter | 1,977 | 25.4% | 9% fewer fails | 98,750 |
| 2014 Crafter | 2,163 | 29.4% | 5% fewer fails | 110,823 |
| 2013 Crafter | 1,695 | 36.4% | 7% more fails | 117,600 |
| 2012 Crafter | 1,796 | 37.5% | 2% more fails | 126,460 |
| 2011 Crafter | 1,113 | 34.6% | 12% fewer fails | 136,794 |
| 2010 Crafter | 1,331 | 36.5% | 11% fewer fails | 142,712 |
| 2009 | 899 | 36.6% | 13% fewer fails | 142,641 |
| 2008 Crafter | 1,583 | 37.3% | 15% fewer fails | 153,999 |
| 2007 Crafter | 1,604 | 36.7% | 18% fewer fails | 144,584 |
| 2006 | 294 | 37.4% | 17% fewer fails | 138,805 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Crafter
Its weak spot is brakes: 81% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes14.6%81% above avg
- Lights and electrics12.4%11% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.1%28% above avg
- Suspension5%55% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%5% below avg
- Steering3.2%33% above avg
- Tyres2.9%60% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.4%42% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.3%81% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.76% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Diesel engine warning light faulty 2.4% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.33% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 1.97% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Parking brake efficiency under half required 1.88% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
- 7
Position lamp not working 1.53% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Rear fog lamp not working 1.49% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Crafter's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy12.65%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.65%
- Slight play in steering rack joints8.21%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive7.38%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.25%
- Suspension ball joint slight play6.28%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Crafter
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Diesel engine warning light faulty
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volkswagen Crafter covers about 12,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel100%
- Petrol0%
Most common colours
White, Silver, Grey, Blue, Black
Average engine size: 2.1 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Crafter compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Crafter | 29.7% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Astra Van | 45% | about average for its age |
| Suzuki Carry | 44% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Corsa Van | 46.9% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Movano | 39.2% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Fiorino | 39.3% | 31% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Proace | 31.2% | 47% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Crafter questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Crafter reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Crafter is about average: it fails 29.7% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 40 van models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Crafter MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Crafter are parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.76% of tests), diesel engine warning light faulty (2.4% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.33% of tests). By area, brakes fails 14.6% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Crafter year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (7% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Crafter do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Crafter covers about 12,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volkswagen Crafter before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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