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Volkswagen Crafter reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 20,976 MOT tests of cars first registered 2007–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
68.4%pass first time
+2.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 61%of cars
20,976MOT tests

Verdict

The Volkswagen Crafter passes its MOT first time on 68.4% of tests, 2.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.2%). That puts it ahead of 61% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2007 Crafter does best (beats 75% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 28%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Diesel does best (beats 70%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 48%).

Better than average on suspension, tyres, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.7×as often as a typical car
Emissions & leaks1.3×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance3.8×as often as a typical car
Brake pipes3.1×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%456789101112131478%74%70%65%64%62%
Volkswagen CrafterTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2007
Beats 75%
2008
Beats 73%
2009
Beats 67%
2010
Beats 69%
2011
Beats 60%
2012
Beats 40%
2013
Beats 48%
2014
Beats 59%
2015
Beats 52%
2016
Beats 28%
2018
Beats 50%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2012–201812,17872.1%Beats 48%C
2.5 Diesel2007–20118,79863.2%Beats 70%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 13.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 14.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 13.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.6 ptsTyres: 3.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+4.3 ptsBrakes: 14.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−6.2 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.7 ptsExhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.3 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 14.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 13.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 13.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.6 ptsTyres: 3.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+4.3 ptsBrakes: 14.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−6.2 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.7 ptsExhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 14.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Brakes
14.5% vs 8.3%
Lights & electrics
13.6% vs 15.2%
Visibility
5.5% vs 5.4%
Suspension
5.3% vs 11.0%
Emissions & leaks
5.0% vs 3.7%
Steering
3.8% vs 2.2%
Tyres
3.4% vs 7.7%
Seat belts & airbags
2.4% vs 1.2%
Body & structure
2.2% vs 3.8%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Handbrake performance 3.8× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Engine warning light 2.8× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Brake performance 2.0× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Track rod ends 1.6× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k78%75%70%69%62%62%
Volkswagen CrafterTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance6.8%1.8%3.8×
Headlight aim3.3%4.0%0.8×
Windscreen wipers2.9%2.3%1.3×
Engine warning light2.6%0.9%2.8×
Track rod ends2.6%1.6%1.6×
Brake pipes2.6%0.8%3.1×
Headlight bulbs & units2.5%2.7%0.9×
Brake performance2.4%1.2%2.0×
Sidelights2.3%4.0%0.6×
Windscreen washers2.0%2.5%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement50.4
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction36.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements33.4
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen28.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn27.9
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play26.9
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded24.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning22.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine81.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,00381.4%Beats 50%C
2016 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine75.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,54675.5%Beats 28%D
2015 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine75.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,65375.6%Beats 52%C
2014 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine73.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,83373.3%Beats 59%C
2013 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine67.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,24867.5%Beats 48%C
2012 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine63.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,89563.1%Beats 40%D
2011 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine63.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,20563.9%Beats 60%C
2010 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine65.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,76265.2%Beats 69%B
2009 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine62.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,19762.4%Beats 67%B
2008 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine62.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2,16762.7%Beats 73%B
2007 Volkswagen Crafter1 engine62.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2,46762.3%Beats 75%B

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen Crafter MOT pass rate?

68.4% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen Crafter were passed first time, based on 20,976 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2007–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.2% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen Crafter reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 61% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen Crafter year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2007 Crafter does best for its age and mileage: it beats 75% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 28%.

Which Volkswagen Crafter engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Diesel does best: it beats 70% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 48%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Crafter?

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, headlight aim, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 3.8× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.