2012 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · ALS 16V

The 2012 Volkswagen Cräft er presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 28 May 2025 at 184,674 miles passed cleanly with zero defects, which is a positive sign. That said, the preceding failure just six days earlier on 22 May 2025 at 184,518 miles flagged five separate issues including an engine MIL inoperative, exposed ply on the offside front tyre, and a parking brake below efficiency requirements. The fact that all five were rectified within a week suggests the owner addressed immediate MOT failures rather than undertaking thorough preventive maintenance. The trend is therefore difficult to characterise as genuinely improving; it reads more as reactive compliance. At roughly 13,191 miles per year, this is a high-mileage commercial vehicle. The mileage accumulation is broadly consistent, rising from 170,862 miles in June 2023 to 178,169 miles in June 2024 and then to 184,674 miles by May 2025. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden drops, so the odometer record appears credible. The annual rate of accumulation is typical for a working van but means consumable and structural components have endured sustained use over fourteen years. The recurring fault pattern deserves close attention. Brake pipe corrosion has appeared in every test from 2023 onward, affecting the offside front, central, and nearside rear lines. The 2024 failure specifically noted a nearside rear brake pipe as excessively corroded. This is not a minor advisory; corroded brake lines represent a genuine structural and safety concern on a commercial vehicle carrying load. A buyer should have the full brake pipe run inspected for surface corrosion, pitting, and moisture ingress, particularly at clips, unions, and where pipes pass through the chassis. The offside front shock absorber was flagged with a serious fluid leak in May 2024, yet the June 2024 pass suggests replacement. Confirm the shock absorber is a matching replacement unit and check the offside front coil spring and top mount for wear or cracking. Steering rack inner joint play has appeared repeatedly on the offside front, noted in 2023, 2024, and again in 2024. This is a persistent wear item that has not been permanently resolved. Have the inner tie rod and rack bush inspected for free play under load. The engine MIL inoperative fault in both May 2025 and May 2024 indicates the bulb or circuit has been an ongoing issue, potentially masking active engine management faults. A diagnostic scan for stored or pending fault codes is essential before purchase. Tyre wear across all four corners has been a recurring theme, with multiple advisories for tread depth and edge wear, suggesting possible tracking misalignment or habitual underinflation. A four-wheel alignment check and suspension bush inspection would be prudent.