2011 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · LB11 HLX

Chronic steering arm play is the primary mechanical concern for this vehicle, appearing as a persistent advisory across the 2025 and 2026 tests. While the inspection on 2026-08-21 resulted in a pass, the record shows a pattern of instability in recent years, including a dangerous failure in 2024 regarding the passenger entrance step and multiple failures related to lighting and seat belt functionality in 2024 and 2025. An accumulation of 186,695 miles over fifteen years equates to an average annual usage of approximately 12,446 miles. This high mileage profile indicates significant wear on the drivetrain, braking systems, and suspension components. The consistency of the testing intervals suggests the vehicle has remained in active service, meaning the mechanical components have been subjected to prolonged operational stress. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the steering system due to the repeated advisories for slight play in both the nearside and offside steering arms. During a test drive, listen for knocks or clicks when turning the wheel at low speeds and feel for any vagueness or lack of precision in the steering response. The previous advisories regarding worn anti-roll bar pins and bushes on both the front nearside and rear offside suggest a general degradation of the suspension linkages, which typically manifests as clunking noises when driving over uneven surfaces or speed bumps. Given the dangerous failure recorded in July 2024, the structural integrity and stability of the front entrance step must be physically verified to ensure it is secure and does not flex under weight. Additionally, while the lighting and seat belt failures were rectified for the 2025 and 2026 passes, the recurrence of headlamp failures suggests a potential intermittent electrical issue within the lighting circuit that should be checked by verifying the operation of all beams and indicators.