Volkswagen Crafter MOT Failures
An analysis of 881,298 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volkswagen Crafter — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Mk1 (2006–2016), Mk2 (2017–2024).
Where the Volkswagen Crafter fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volkswagen Crafter is tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor... — this model is 132 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 881,298 MOT tests, 0.29% of all Volkswagen Crafter tests recorded this as a failure.
Tyre failures indicate either poor maintenance or suspension geometry issues causing uneven wear. Check all four tyres for tread depth, sidewall damage, and uneven wear patterns.
Other notable weak points include coil springs broken (84x the fleet average), emissions failure (369x the fleet average), lamp not securely attached (56x the fleet average), and switch does not operate in accordance with the ... (67x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volkswagen Crafter's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Tyres, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Volkswagen Crafter before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Volkswagen Crafter's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Volkswagen Crafter specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (369x the average) and reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear (182x). tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor... (132x) and tyre load capacity load capacity insufficient f... (93x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Volkswagen Crafter specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (84x the average) and lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not ... (61x). lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not... (57x) and lamp not securely attached (56x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Volkswagen Crafter specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (55x the average) and lamp not securely attached (47x). tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor... (46x) and lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not... (32x) also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to coil springs broken at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Volkswagen Crafter specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Rear leaf spring mounting failure Dangerous
Crafter rear leaf spring attachments fail at 50.3 times the national average, particularly affecting high-mileage vehicles. Affects SY/SZ, SY/SZ-II; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Excessive exhaust smoke emission Major
Crafter diesel engines show MOT failure rates 368.8 times the national average for excessive exhaust smoke, particularly affecting newer vehicles. Affects SY/SZ, SY/SZ-II; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Suspension component wear Major
Crafter suspension components fail MOT tests at 71.2 times the national average, affecting all mileage ranges from 20,000 miles upward. Affects SY/SZ, SY/SZ-II; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Handbrake efficiency failure Major
Crafter handbrakes fail MOT efficiency tests at 40.7 times the national average across all mileage ranges. Affects SY/SZ, SY/SZ-II; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volkswagen Crafter common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Crafter
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volkswagen Crafter:
Tyres — check for tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor.... Suspension — check for coil springs broken, anti-roll bar links worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for lamp not securely attached, switch does not operate in accordance with the ..., reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear, lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about rear leaf spring mounting failure and excessive exhaust smoke emission. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Volkswagen Crafter?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Volkswagen Crafter MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Crafter?
Based on 881,298 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accor... — at 132x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include coil springs broken and emissions failure.
Is the Volkswagen Crafter reliable based on MOT data?
The Volkswagen Crafter has 23 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag rear leaf spring mounting failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Volkswagen Crafter most commonly fails on coil springs broken and lamp not securely attached. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear.
How do I check a Volkswagen Crafter's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.