Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Volkswagen Crafter?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 Volkswagen Crafter?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 Volkswagen Crafter?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2017 Volkswagen Crafter vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Crafter reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,751 vehicles, the 2017 Volkswagen Crafter has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Crafter?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 Volkswagen Crafter are: Oil leak, but not excessive (41.6% of vehicles), Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (38.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (28.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 Volkswagen Crafter?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Volkswagen Crafter (2017)

4,751 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.2% first-time pass rate

2017 Volkswagen Crafter

CarHunch analysed 4,751 real MOT records for the 2017 Volkswagen Crafter. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2017 Crafter is essentially on par with the UK average at 79.9% first-time pass rate, but one serious concern jumps out: nearly 31% of these vans have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly above the norm and suggests buyers should factor in potential safety issues. Since the fleet is almost entirely diesel, there's no fuel-type variation to consider here.

At 91,265 miles median, these Crafters are running relatively hard for their age, yet they're averaging 1.6 failures and 8.2 advisories per test—a reasonable burden for a commercial workhorse. If you're buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brake condition and any history of dangerous defect notices, because that 31% figure indicates systemic weak points worth understanding before you commit.

The 2017 Volkswagen Crafter has a decent first-time pass rate (80.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

30.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.6

Over 7.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

91k

Middle half: 63k–123k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 8.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 4,751 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 4,751 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 41.6%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction · …

Tyre wear 28.7%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 22.8%

Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 11.4%

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play · Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play · Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,751 Volkswagen Crafter cars.

Before you buy a 2017 Volkswagen Crafter

Based on MOT data from 4,751 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	4,748	80.2%	1.6

Colour Breakdown

Based on 73,669 Volkswagen Crafter vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 73.8%

54,335

Silver 8.8%

6,476

Grey 4.7%

3,491

Blue 4.1%

3,051

Black 3.4%

2,479

Red 2.8%

2,066

Green 1%

769

Yellow 0.8%

563

Brown 0.3%

204

Orange 0.2%

137

Multi-colour 0.1%

Purple 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Volkswagen Crafter vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

91,265

typical

62,548

low mileage

123,416

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Volkswagen Crafter vehicles fall between 62,548 and 123,416 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 62,548 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 62,548–123,416 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Volkswagen Crafters sit.

⚠ Over 166,611 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Volkswagen Crafter — Still on the Road

Most 2017 Volkswagen Crafters are still being driven.

Strong survival — 3,843 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.6

Avg failures per vehicle

8.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Volkswagen Crafter: All Crafter years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Volkswagen Crafter stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing