2007 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · LB07 VKA

The most recent DVSA MOT test on this 2007 Volkswagen Crafter, conducted on 17 May 2024, resulted in a pass with two recorded advisories, and on the whole the maintenance trend across the recorded history appears stable rather than deteriorating. The vehicle has passed every test it has been presented for, with no failure points recorded at any point in its life, which speaks to a reasonable level of ongoing upkeep for a commercial vehicle of this age. However, there is a clear pattern of recurring advisory items relating to oil leaks, exhaust smoke, and parking brake travel that have appeared intermittently since 2016 and again in the most recent test, suggesting chronic minor issues that have been managed but not fully resolved. A prospective buyer should not interpret the clean pass history as a sign of perfect mechanical condition; instead, the steady stream of advisories indicates areas where wear or age-related degradation is slowly progressing and will require attention in the short to medium term. With approximately 157,813 miles on the odometer across 19 years, this Crafter is averaging around 8,300 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a working van of its vintage and likely reflects a mix of commercial and possibly light private use. There are some notable gaps in the MOT testing record, with no recorded tests between 2016 and 2018, and again between 2024 and the present date in 2026, but the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than excessively rapid. At this mileage and age, the mechanical implications are significant for a vehicle of this size: the engine, gearbox, clutch, turbocharger (if fitted), and major drivetrain components have all accrued substantial wear, and while the van has clearly been serviced regularly enough to keep passing MOTs, the buyer should expect that major service items such as timing belts, water pumps, and dual mass flywheels may already have been replaced or be approaching the end of their service life. The relatively consistent annual mileage is a more reassuring indicator than very low figures, which on a commercial vehicle can sometimes mask long periods of standing that lead to their own set of problems. The recurring advisory for oil leaks is a significant point of attention and should be investigated physically before purchase. Oil leaks on a Crafter of this age commonly originate from the sump gasket, rear main crankshaft seal, timing cover, valve cover gasket, or turbo seals, and an active leak will not only leave the underside oily and corroded but can also lead to low oil levels, increased engine wear, and in diesel engines potential contamination of the catalytic converter or DPF. The buyer should inspect the underside of the engine for fresh oil residue, check the oil level on the dipstick with the engine cold and level, and look for blue or grey smoke from the exhaust on startup, particularly when cold, which would indicate oil being burned internally. The 2024 advisory specifically noting that the exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour is concerning when combined with the persistent oil leak findings from 2016 onwards, as oil consumption of this nature tends to worsen over time and can point to worn piston rings, valve stem seals, or turbo seal degradation. On a test drive, listen for any rattle from the turbo on shutdown and observe whether smoke is more pronounced under hard acceleration. The earlier advisory from 2019 regarding play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint is another item worth re-examining, as steering rack wear on a vehicle with this mileage is a common and progressive issue that can lead to vague steering response, uneven or feathered front tyre wear, and clunking noises over uneven surfaces. The recurring advisory for parking brake lever reserve travel suggests either stretched cables, worn rear brake shoes or drums, or adjusters that have not been properly reset, and on a test drive the buyer should apply the parking brake firmly on an incline to confirm it holds reliably and check whether the lever pulls excessively high. Other age and mileage related items to inspect include the condition of all suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, and coil springs, as commercial vans carrying heavy loads are particularly prone to sagging rear springs and cracked bushes. Check all tyres for perishing or cracking of the sidewalls even if tread depth appears adequate, examine the brake discs for lipping and corrosion, and verify the age of the 12V battery, as batteries older than five years often struggle in commercial service. Finally, given that the most recent MOT is now over two years old at the time of assessment in September 2026, the vehicle will require a fresh test before being driven on public roads, and the buyer should budget accordingly for any remedial work that may arise from that examination as well as ensuring the service book stamps are present and up to date to confirm that critical interval-based items such as cambelt replacement, coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil have been attended to at the correct intervals.