2012 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · FE12 AEJ

The vehicle presents a concerning state of roadworthiness with a trend of worsening mechanical neglect and deferred maintenance. While it passed its most recent MOT in December 2025 at 166,452 miles, this followed a catastrophic failure just seven miles prior. That failure revealed a critical list of defects, including a broken offside front shock absorber strut, excessive steering rack play, and significant brake imbalance. The recurring failure to address braking and steering issues suggests that the owner only performs the bare minimum required to pass testing rather than following a preventative maintenance schedule. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 14-year-old commercial, averaging approximately 11,900 miles per year. However, there is a notable surge in usage between March 2020 (103,777 miles) and February 2021 (143,298 miles), where the vehicle covered over 40,000 miles in a single year. This high-intensity period likely correlates with the acceleration of wear seen in the suspension components, particularly the steering rack and shock absorbers, which have appeared in multiple test records since this interval. A buyer must conduct a rigorous inspection of the steering and suspension geometry. The history shows persistent issues with the steering rack inner joints and track rod ends across several years, indicating a potential failure of the entire steering assembly if not replaced. The braking system remains a major risk area, with records of binding rear calipers, worn front discs, and low parking brake efficiency. The buyer should also verify that the engine management light is now functioning correctly, as it was flagged as inoperative during the 2025 failure, which often masks underlying engine faults or emissions issues.