At a Glance
The Volkswagen Crafter has 53 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (2006-2016) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 474K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volkswagen Crafter common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volkswagen Crafter generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volkswagen Crafter Generations
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Most Common Volkswagen Crafter MOT Failures
Every reason Volkswagen Crafter vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.77% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 8.40% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 7.76% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.30% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 6.27% |
| 6 | Track rod end worn | 5.55% |
| 7 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 4.80% |
| 8 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.35% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.73% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.73% |
| 11 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.64% |
| 12 | Stop lamp not working | 2.47% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.46% |
| 14 | Headlamp fault | 2.34% |
| 15 | Front lamp not working | 2.25% |
| 16 | Position lamp not working | 2.03% |
| 17 | Parking brake condition | 1.95% |
| 18 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.52% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.49% |
| 20 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.30% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.20% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 1.18% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.11% |
| 24 | Fog lamp not working | 1.00% |
| 25 | Steering rack fault | 0.97% |
| 26 | Exhaust system fault | 0.88% |
| 27 | Airbag warning light on | 0.80% |
| 28 | Horn not working | 0.79% |
| 29 | Seat belt condition | 0.76% |
| 30 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.73% |
| 31 | ABS fault | 0.68% |
| 32 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.65% |
| 33 | Engine oil leak | 0.53% |
| 34 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.47% |
| 35 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.35% |
| 36 | Indicator fault | 0.33% |
| 37 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.31% |
| 38 | Brake lever fault | 0.26% |
| 39 | Steering free play excessive | 0.25% |
| 40 | Drag link end worn | 0.24% |
| 41 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.21% |
| 42 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.20% |
| 43 | Propshaft fault | 0.19% |
| 44 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.19% |
| 45 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 46 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.17% |
| 47 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.16% |
| 48 | Steering arm worn | 0.15% |
| 49 | Driveshaft fault | 0.15% |
| 50 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 51 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.15% |
| 52 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 53 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 54 | Chassis condition | 0.12% |
| 55 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.11% |
| 56 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.11% |
| 57 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 58 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.09% |
| 59 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.09% |
| 60 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.09% |
| 61 | Front passenger door fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 63 | Spare wheel fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.08% |
| 65 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 67 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.07% |
| 68 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.07% |
| 69 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 73 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 74 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 75 | Towbar fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.05% |
| 77 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 79 | Exhaust leak | 0.05% |
| 80 | Front suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 82 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 83 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 84 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 86 | Brake servo fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.04% |
| 89 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 90 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 93 | Brake fluid leak | 0.03% |
| 94 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.02% |
| 96 | Dropside damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Rear suspension fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 99 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 100 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 103 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.02% |
| 107 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 114 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 115 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | 0.01% |
| 116 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 117 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 118 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 119 | Passenger airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 121 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.01% |
| 122 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 123 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 124 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 125 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 129 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 139 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 157 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 158 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 159 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 167 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | <0.01% |
| 170 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 172 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 181 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 184 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
Showing all 186 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volkswagen Crafter MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volkswagen Crafter, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volkswagen Crafter problems?
Based on analysis of 474K Volkswagen Crafter MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 53 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Parking brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volkswagen Crafter generation has the most problems?
The Volkswagen Crafter Mk1 (2006-2016) (2006–2016) has the highest number of identified common problems (66). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volkswagen Crafter?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volkswagen Crafter owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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