2010 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · AK60 YRM

The 2010 Volkswagen Crafter presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a clear pattern of recurring brake system issues that have persisted across multiple test cycles. The most recent MOT on 6 May 2026 at 134,081 miles passed, but only after a failure just eight days earlier on 29 April 2026 at 134,070 miles. That failure flagged both front brake discs as worn, pitted, or scored, along with parking brake efficiency falling below 50 per cent of the required value. The subsequent pass on 6 May still recorded the same front brake disc advisories on both sides, meaning the discs were not replaced but merely deemed not seriously weakened at the time of retest. This suggests the parking brake fault was addressed, likely through adjustment, while the front brake discs remain a known concern. The trend is not worsening in a dramatic sense, but it is not fully resolving either. The front brake disc wear has appeared in tests spanning from 2021 through 2026, indicating a long-standing condition that has been monitored rather than properly corrected. The mileage accumulation of roughly 8,380 miles per year over 16 years is entirely typical for a commercial van of this type and does not raise any red flags. The record shows a gap of nearly two years between the November 2023 test at 133,281 miles and the April 2026 failure at 134,070 miles, representing only 789 miles of use in that period. This suggests the vehicle saw very light use or possible standing time between late 2023 and early 2026. The earlier history from 2021 to 2023 shows more consistent annual testing and mileage progression, with approximately 10,000 miles covered between the November 2021 test at 116,306 miles and the October 2022 test at 126,745 miles, then a further 6,536 miles to November 2023. The record is reasonably complete, with no suspicious gaps, though the sparse testing in recent years means some deterioration may have gone unmonitored. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus on the front brake discs and parking brake system as the most immediate mechanical concerns. The repeated advisories on both nearside and offside front discs across multiple tests point to a condition that has been tolerated rather than rectified. The parking brake efficiency failure in April 2026, followed by a pass just days later, warrants close examination of the rear braking system, including calipers, cables, and adjusters, to confirm whether a proper repair was carried out or whether a simple adjustment masked an underlying fault. The 2021 test also flagged corroded front brake pipes, which should be inspected for any ongoing corrosion or contamination, as this can compromise hydraulic integrity over time. Suspension wear is another area to check. Both front suspension arm ball joints showed slight play in the November 2023 test, and with no subsequent test addressing this, the condition may have progressed. A physical inspection should assess ball joint boots for splits, check for play with the wheel raised, and examine the inner brake discs at the rear, which were flagged as worn and pitted in 2021 and may not have been replaced since. The nearside registration plate lamp fault from 2022 appears minor but should be verified as operational. Overall, the record points to a vehicle that has been kept on the road with advisories carried forward rather than systematically resolved, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the braking and suspension systems is strongly recommended.