2021 Volkswagen Crafter CR35 Trendline TDI 2.0L Diesel · GL70 YOA

The most recent DVSA test on 30 April 2026 recorded a clean pass with no advisories or defects, which is the most favourable outcome available and suggests the vehicle was presented in a roadworthy condition at that point. Looking back across the documented history, the maintenance pattern is broadly stable but punctuated by a small cluster of electrical and minor mechanical issues in 2024, with all subsequent tests showing improvement. The April 2025 test still carried an advisory for an oil leak classed as not excessive, indicating a minor seepage that the tester did not consider an immediate failure but which warrants monitoring. The progression from two failures in early 2024, to a pass with a single advisory in 2025, and finally a completely clean pass in 2026 indicates that prior concerns have been addressed and the vehicle is currently in good standing from a statutory testing perspective. The recorded mileage of 68,307 miles over five years equates to an average of around 13,661 miles annually, which is notably high for a vehicle of this age and segment. Commercial-class vehicles such as the Crafter are frequently driven in demanding roles, often carrying heavy loads or covering long motorway distances, and the MOT history reflects consistent annual testing with no significant gaps in mileage accumulation. High annual mileage of this nature accelerates wear on consumable items including brake pads and discs, clutch components, suspension bushes and dampers, tyres, and drivetrain mounts. It also tends to bring forward timing belt or chain servicing intervals, Diesel Particulate Filter maintenance, and AdBlue system considerations, all of which should be verified against the manufacturer's service schedule when reviewing the vehicle's paperwork. Given the advisory recorded in April 2025 regarding a minor oil leak, a prospective buyer should physically inspect the engine and undertray for any fresh signs of seepage from the sump, rocker cover gasket, or turbo oil feed and return lines. On a test drive, listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start, which is a known concern on certain VW commercial diesel units, and observe whether the engine management light illuminates, particularly on a cold start, as the 2024 failure for an inoperative MIL could suggest intermittent sensor or emissions-related faults. The 2024 advisories for the anti-roll bar drop link and the windscreen wiper fault should prompt a check of the front suspension for any clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces, and confirmation that the wiper linkage has been properly replaced rather than merely adjusted, as premature failure of the mechanism can recur. The earlier failures for the rear fog lamp and its switch, alongside the dipped beam headlamp issue in 2025, point to general electrical wear that is common in high-mileage commercial vehicles where light units, switches, and associated wiring suffer from vibration and moisture ingress. During inspection, verify the operation of all exterior lamps, including the dipped beam, main beam, indicators, and fog lamps, and check for condensation inside the headlamp and rear light clusters. With the vehicle now five years old, attention should also be given to age-related items not necessarily covered by MOT testing, including the condition of the 12V battery, the brake fluid hygroscopic content, the coolant strength and age, the timing belt or chain service interval, and the integrity of tyres with particular regard to sidewall cracking or perishing even if the tread depth remains legal. A thorough road test on varying road surfaces, checking for pulling under braking, any vibration through the steering, and confirming smooth operation of the clutch and gearbox, will be especially valuable on a high-mileage example of this type.