VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,634 MOT tests from 228 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER has the same fault.

VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 515/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER.

VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	687/999Good	93,882 miles	2,599 vehicles
N/A	N/A	643/999Good	94,861 miles	4,078 vehicles
N/A	N/A	563/999Above average	95,012 miles	4,485 vehicles
N/A	N/A	521/999Above average	95,671 miles	4,959 vehicles
N/A	N/A	485/999Average	94,552 miles	4,666 vehicles
N/A	N/A	447/999Average	94,740 miles	4,090 vehicles
N/A	N/A	390/999Fair	97,730 miles	1,612 vehicles
N/A	N/A	381/999Fair	95,419 miles	2,062 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER?

Based on 1,634 MOT tests from 228 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

228

MOT tests

1,634

Pass rate

73.4%

Median mileage

123,898 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 677 out of 999.

Common VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 146 advisory comments and 13 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 158 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 125 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Steering rack issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 57 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play, a leak, or a damaged gaiter on the steering rack.

What to inspect

Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT PLAY IN STEERING RACK INNER JOINT(S)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 56 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 49 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 48 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 44 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	8	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	19	19	89.5%	Tyre wear
2022	15	35	77.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021	10	35	77.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	16	80	72.5%	Oil leak, Tyre wear
2019	23	126	80.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	18	118	78.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	11	107	69.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	13	116	81%	Parking brake faults, Tyre wear
2015	13	135	72.6%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2014	15	166	74.7%	Oil leak, Brake disc wear
2013	11	153	69.3%	Steering rack issues, Corrosion
2010	7	127	67.7%	Ball joint wear, Oil leak
2009	7	109	72.5%	Parking brake faults, Registration plate condition
2008	6	106	70.8%	Oil leak, Parking brake faults

What to check when buying a used VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Steering rack issues. Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTERs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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