Heavy-duty workhorse van, now truly VW-built
The Crafter is VW's large panel van competing with the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter. Pre-2017 models were rebadged Mercedes Sprinters built on the W906 platform. From 2017, VW built the Crafter in-house in Poland with its own 2.0 TDI engines — it won Parkers Van of the Year in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Used pre-2017 Crafters start from £8-12k while 2017+ models range from £18-35k depending on mileage and spec.
We track 5 known issues across the Volkswagen Crafter range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volkswagen Crafter? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Mk1 (2006–2016) — Engine options included the 2.5 TDI, 2.5 TDI.
Mk2 (2017–2024) — Engine options included the 2.0 TDI.
Crafter rear leaf spring attachments fail at 50.3 times the national average, particularly affecting high-mileage vehicles. The mounting points and spring hangers suffer from corrosion and stress fractures under commercial loading. This is a structural safety issue as spring detachment can cause loss of vehicle control and wheel alignment failure.
Spring mounting failure can cause sudden loss of rear axle control, wheel misalignment, and potential wheel detachment. The vehicle becomes dangerous to drive and requires immediate repair. Complete spring replacement may be necessary if mounting points are compromised.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Crafter diesel engines show MOT failure rates 368.8 times the national average for excessive exhaust smoke, particularly affecting newer vehicles. This typically indicates DPF (diesel particulate filter) blockage or regeneration system failure, common on commercial vehicles used for short journeys or low-speed urban work. The DPF requires regular high-temperature operation to burn off accumulated soot particles.
DPF blockage leads to reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and eventually complete blockage requiring expensive replacement. DPF replacement costs £1,500-£3,000. Continued driving with blocked DPF can damage the turbocharger and injection system.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
Crafter suspension components fail MOT tests at 71.2 times the national average, affecting all mileage ranges from 20,000 miles upward. Commercial vehicle loading patterns and payload stress accelerate wear of suspension bushes, ball joints, and mounting points. The high failure rate across low-mileage vehicles suggests design limitations under commercial use.
Worn suspension components affect vehicle stability, braking effectiveness, and tyre wear patterns. Severe wear creates MOT failure and unsafe handling characteristics. Ball joint failure can cause loss of steering control.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Crafter handbrakes fail MOT efficiency tests at 40.7 times the national average across all mileage ranges. The rear drum brake system used for parking brake operation suffers from adjustment problems, cable stretch, and drum wear under commercial vehicle loading. Poor handbrake performance affects vehicle security on slopes and MOT compliance.
Inadequate handbrake performance creates safety risks on slopes and automatic MOT failure. Complete handbrake system overhaul including cables, shoes, and adjustment mechanism may be required. Poor handbrake efficiency can indicate broader rear brake system deterioration.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Steering ball joints fail MOT tests at 34.7 times the national average, affecting vehicles from 40,000 miles upward. Commercial vehicle steering systems experience higher loads from kerb impacts, frequent turning, and payload stress. Ball joint failure creates steering play and can lead to loss of directional control.
Worn ball joints create dangerous steering play and can lead to sudden loss of steering control. Severe wear causes MOT failure and unsafe vehicle handling. Complete failure may result in wheel detachment or loss of directional stability.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volkswagen Crafter common problems page.
Based on 286k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volkswagen Crafter fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 369x the fleet average, followed by reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear (182x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volkswagen Crafter MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 18k miles) typically costs £120–£180 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Volkswagen Crafter service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volkswagen Crafter has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2017-2020 VW-built Crafters with the 2.0 TDI (102-177bhp) are the clear choice — genuine VW engineering, proven engines, and multiple award wins. For pre-2017 Sprinter-based models, target post-2011 variants which had improved electrics and the Euro 5 engine. Always verify cambelt service history regardless of generation — a missed belt can destroy the engine. The 140bhp 2.0 TDI with manual gearbox is the most reliable drivetrain combination.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volkswagen Crafter, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Volkswagen Crafter issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.