Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI (2016)
2016 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI
CarHunch analysed 486 real MOT records for the 2016 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 VW Crafter CR35 TDI is significantly less reliable than average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 52.3% against the UK average of 80%—nearly three in five of these vans will fail their test. The good news is that dangerous defects are not a pattern (0%), but the typical van presents 0.63 failures per vehicle, suggesting recurring mechanical issues rather than isolated problems.
At 104,767 miles median mileage for an eight-year-old van, these Crafters have been worked hard, and the failure pattern reflects that wear. If you're buying one, budget for repairs before the next MOT, and prioritise a pre-purchase inspection by a diesel van specialist to identify what's likely to need fixing.
What to check before buying a 2016 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 482 | 52.1% | 0.62 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (1%) | 4 | 75.9% | 1.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2016 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI vehicles fall between 81,505 and 134,140 miles.
2016 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 213 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 TDI?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.