How reliable is the Volkswagen Crafter?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Volkswagen Crafter consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. The most commonly reported issues are engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Above average reliability
Based on 1,084 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 87.1%.
Volkswagen Crafter reliability by year
How the Volkswagen Crafter performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 70.6% | – |
| 2007 | 68.3% | – |
| 2008 | 67% | – |
| 2009 | 69.4% | – |
| 2010 | 69% | – |
| 2011 | 74.8% | – |
| 2012 | 71% | – |
| 2013 | 71.4% | – |
| 2014 | 75.8% | – |
| 2015 | 77.5% | – |
| 2016 | 80.6% | – |
| 2017 | 81.3% | 108,465 km |
| 2018 | 87.2% | 129,029 km |
| 2019 | 87.1% | 98,774 km |
| 2020 | 90.9% | 62,441 km |
| 2021 | 92.2% | – |
| 2022 | 100% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Volkswagen Crafter as a model. The reliability of any individual Volkswagen Crafter also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volkswagen Crafter reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Volkswagen Crafter consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 87%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Volkswagen Crafter?
The most common owner-reported issues are: Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction (2.2% of inspections); Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake (1.5% of inspections); The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (1.5% of inspections); Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (0.9% of inspections); Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (0.9% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Volkswagen Crafter?
For a typical Volkswagen Crafter, owner-reported average mileage works out to about 44,914 km at 3 years, 98,774 km at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Volkswagen Crafter before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.