Volkswagen Crafter (2012)
2012 Volkswagen Crafter
CarHunch analysed 4,274 real MOT records for the 2012 Volkswagen Crafter. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Volkswagen Crafter has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.5%, which sits notably below the UK average of 80%—a real reliability concern for a commercial vehicle now approaching 13 years old. More troubling still, 46.5% of these vans have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, meaning nearly half are carrying significant safety issues that demand immediate attention from any prospective buyer.
At 117,567 miles median mileage, these Crafters show typical wear for their age, but the average of 3.65 failures per vehicle and 23.5 advisories per vehicle suggests systemic problems beyond routine maintenance. Before buying, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake condition, suspension, and engine management—the dangerous defect rate makes skipping this step genuinely risky.
What to check before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Crafter
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.
- ⚠️ 46.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 4,272 | 72.6% | 3.65 |
| Petrol (0%) | 2 | 85.7% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Volkswagen Crafter 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 2012 Volkswagen Crafter vehicles fall between 84,386 and 151,515 miles.
2012 Volkswagen Crafter — Still on the Road
2,643 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Volkswagen Crafter
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
75.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
-
52.6%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements
-
46.1%
Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()
-
44.4%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
-
34.8%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
34.7%
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
-
31.9%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
-
31.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Crafter?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.