2018 Volkswagen Crafter 2.0L Diesel · FN68 VGL

Four consecutive MOT passes with no failures define this Crafter's record, the latest being a clean pass on 2025-06-09 with no defects or advisories recorded at all. The only blemish across the entire history is a recurring advisory for both front tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edges, flagged in January 2023 and again in June 2024. The fact that this advisory appeared twice, then disappeared from the 2025 test, suggests the tyres were replaced between the 2024 and 2025 inspections, and the overall trend is stable to improving rather than deteriorating. At 109,670 miles over roughly eight years, this van has averaged around 13,700 miles per year, which is high for its age and consistent with regular commercial or long-distance use. The annual test dates themselves hint at a change in usage rhythm: tests fell in January in 2022 and 2023, then shifted to June in 2024 and 2025, though there are no unexplained gaps in the testing record. Sustained higher-mileage use places cumulative load on consumables and running gear, so brake discs and pads, suspension bushes, shock absorbers, wheel bearings, and drivetrain components such as the clutch and dual-mass flywheel will all have seen substantial service by this point, regardless of the clean pass record. The repeated edge wear on both front tyres is the one mechanical thread worth pursuing. Wear concentrated on the edges of both front tyres can point to incorrect tracking or wheel alignment, worn suspension or steering components, or simply chronic under-inflation under load. On a test drive, check whether the van tracks straight on a level road without steering correction, whether the steering wheel sits centred, and whether the front tyres currently fitted show even tread across their full width. Any fresh feathering or shoulder wear on the present tyres would suggest the underlying cause was never corrected and an alignment check or suspension inspection is warranted. Beyond the tyres, the absence of advisories for corrosion, brakes, or suspension is encouraging but does not eliminate the need for a hands-on inspection given the mileage. Listen for knocks or clonks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, feel for judder through the brake pedal or steering wheel under braking, and check for any vibration or drone at motorway speed that could indicate a worn wheel bearing or driveline wear. On a high-mileage Crafter, also verify smooth clutch engagement without slip or judder, and confirm the gear change is clean, as these are costly items on a van of this size. A pre-purchase inspection focusing on the front suspension geometry and braking components would be money well spent before committing.