2009 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · LO09 BVB

The recorded DVSA MOT history for this 2009 Volkswagen Crafter is entirely free of advisory notes and structural defect entries, with both the most recent test on 23 February 2026 and the previous pass on 24 February 2025 showing a clean sheet. Two failures appear in the record on 20 February 2026 and 23 August 2023, but both are logged with no defects recorded, suggesting that the presenting issues were rectified at the time of test rather than representing chronic component failures. The absence of recurring advisories for items such as suspension components, brake pipes, corroded underbody structure, or exhaust emissions over a prolonged testing history is a positive indicator for a commercial vehicle of this age, particularly given the high accumulated mileage. For a prospective buyer, the clean advisory record provides reassurance that no wear items have been flagged as approaching mandatory failure thresholds, and that previously attended-to repairs have not been allowed to deteriorate to the point of re-test failure. With 167,983 miles recorded over a 17-year lifespan, this Crafter has accumulated roughly 9,881 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with expected usage for a working commercial van of its era. There is a noticeable gap in testing between early 2023 and mid-2023, and a longer interval between the September 2023 pass and the February 2025 test, which may reflect a period off the road or a change in operating pattern rather than any mechanical concern. The consistent resumption of annual testing thereafter suggests the vehicle remains in active service. Mechanically, this mileage profile means consumable wear items such as brake discs, pads, dual-mass flywheels, clutch assemblies, and suspension linkages will have absorbed substantial cumulative load cycles, and any buyer should approach these as items with reduced remaining service life even though none have yet been flagged at test. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be directed to the areas that commonly affect high-mileage Crafter vans but were not specifically captured in this MOT record. The front MacPherson strut top mounts and rear leaf spring eye bushes should be examined for cracking or perishing, as these deteriorate with extended use. Brake feel should be tested progressively from cold, watching for a spongy pedal that may indicate corroded rear drum mechanisms or failing servo assistance, while any pulling under braking could point to a binding front caliper. Steering should be checked for free-play at the straight-ahead position and for any clonking through the front axle over broken road surfaces, which would be consistent with worn anti-roll bar drop links or track rod inner joints. Underneath the vehicle, a thorough check should be made for any fresh oil staining around the engine sump, turbocharger oil feed lines, and the rear differential or gearbox output seals, as seepage in these areas is typical at this mileage and would not necessarily appear in MOT data unless producing visible emissions or drips onto the exhaust. The exhaust system should be inspected for blue staining at joints indicating blowing gaskets, and the underside of the load floor and rear chassis rails examined for any corrosion bubbling that could develop between tests. On the test drive, listen for any drivetrain shunt on pull-away in higher gears, which can indicate dual-mass flywheel deterioration, and check for steady boost delivery without overboost kick or turbo flutter under load. Any hesitation, misfire, or EGR-related warning behaviour should be investigated, as these systems are known wear points on the Crafter’s diesel engine at this stage of life.