2009 Volkswagen Crafter 2.5L Diesel · SL09 FNH

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 18 July 2025, although it should be noted that this pass came immediately after a failure just four days earlier on 14 July 2025, where three major defects were rectified, namely an inoperative engine malfunction indicator lamp, an offside rear position lamp showing white light to the rear, and a non-functioning nearside front outline marker lamp. Looking at the broader trend across the available records, the maintenance trajectory is best described as stable but with recurring advisories that suggest ongoing attention to wear items rather than acute deterioration. The same advisories, particularly those relating to the rear differential oil leak, corroded brake pipes, pitted rear brake discs, and steering rack play, have been flagged at multiple consecutive tests, indicating items that have been monitored but not yet rectified and which warrant direct physical inspection prior to purchase. With a recorded mileage of 114,386 miles over approximately 17 years, this Volkswagen Crafter has averaged around 6,729 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a commercial vehicle of this age and class. There is no evidence in the records of unusually long standing periods or conversely of rapid mileage accumulation that would flag unusual wear patterns. That said, the relatively modest annual mileage for a working van suggests the vehicle may have seen periods of idleness, particularly if used in seasonal or part-time commercial roles, and this is relevant for components that degrade with calendar age rather than usage, including brake hydraulic fluid, coolant, brake friction surface corrosion, and various rubber and polymer components throughout the underbody and drivetrain. Given the recurring advisories, several specific items warrant close physical inspection. The persistent rear differential oil leak should be checked by examining the underside of the rear axle housing for fresh seepage and staining on the back plate or surrounding components, and the fluid level should be confirmed as adequate. The corroded brake pipe running front to rear should be visually inspected along its full length for advanced surface corrosion, pitting, or flaking, particularly at unions and mounting points, as brake pipe failure on a vehicle of this age is a serious safety concern and a likely future test failure. The pitted rear brake discs, noted in both 2024 and 2025, should be inspected for lipping, surface deterioration, and any unevenness that may produce brake shudder under load. The steering rack inner joint play, the offside front track rod end play previously recorded, and the suspension ball joint play noted in 2021 all point to wear in the front steering and suspension geometry, which should manifest on a test drive as knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, vague or wandering steering, or uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner edges as previously noted. The rear shock absorbers, which have carried advisories for worn bushes and external casing damage across multiple tests, should be checked for damping effectiveness and any fluid seepage. Finally, given the vehicle's age, prospective buyers should also verify the condition of the timing belt or cambelt service interval if applicable, inspect tyres carefully for age-related sidewall cracking and perishing regardless of tread depth, test the 12 volt battery under load, confirm the brake fluid and coolant have been changed within their recommended calendar intervals, and inspect the nearside mirror casing for the previously noted damage as well as the windscreen for any crack progression that might affect the driver's view.