2016 Volkswagen Crafter 2.0L Diesel · T70 TAL

The defining mechanical story of this Volkswagen Crafter is one of generally consistent roadworthiness across five consecutive pass results, tempered by a recurring pattern of chassis and suspension advisories that point to steady wear on a high-mileage commercial platform. The most recent test on 30 October 2025 was a clean pass with no advisories, following an identically clean pass on 21 November 2024 after an earlier fail that same day for an offside rear stop lamp not working and an insecure front registration plate, both standard presentation defects rather than mechanical failures. However, looking back through the record, advisories on the front shock absorbers for light oil misting, rear anti-roll bar pins and bushes, a corroded offside rear brake pipe, front brake disc wear, rear anti-roll bar linkage wear and front brake pad thinning all appear in successive tests between 2020 and 2023. This forms a coherent picture of progressive consumption of suspension and braking components consistent with a working van, rather than any single acute failure. The recorded mileage of 198,681 miles against a 2016 registration equates to an annualised accumulation of roughly 19,868 miles per year, which is notably high even for a Crafter and points to sustained, demanding use typical of commercial operation. There are no significant gaps in the testing record that would suggest long periods off the road, with tests appearing almost every year since 2020, and the mileage progression implies the vehicle has been worked consistently between examinations. Mechanically, this usage profile places the engine, drivetrain, clutch, turbocharger, suspension, braking system and underside protection under continuous load, accelerating wear on rubber bushes, dampers, brake discs, pads, flexible brake hoses, fluid-sealed joints and underbody corrosion protection. The 2020 advisory for a non-excessive oil leak is consistent with this pattern of seal and gasket ageing under sustained thermal cycling. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection points are the chassis and braking components specifically flagged in the MOT record. On the underside, the offside rear brake pipe that was previously noted as corroded and coated in grease should be carefully examined for live rust and wall thinning, with particular attention to unions and bends, and the flexible sections of the brake hoses should be checked for cracking under load. The front shock absorbers that exhibited oil misting in 2023 should be inspected for wetness around the shaft seals, and the front end should be pushed laterally at the wheel to feel for any slack or knocking that would indicate worn top mounts or strut bearings. The rear anti-roll bar bushes and outer link pins, flagged in both 2021 and 2023, are a known Crafter wear item and should be assessed for free play by rocking the rear of the vehicle, listening for clonks over speed humps and uneven surfaces. Under braking, the front discs previously noted as worn should be measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping or hot spots that could cause pedal judder under load, while the rear discs and pads, not separately flagged but subject to similar mileage, warrant the same scrutiny. On the road, a thorough test drive should include low-speed manoeuvring to detect any binding calipers or uneven dragging, a firm emergency stop from around 40 mph to confirm straight-line stability and absence of judder, and a section of poor-quality urban road to expose any suspension knocks, rear axle clonks or steering vagueness. The previously noted oil leak should be rechecked on the engine block, sump, turbocharger oil feed and front crank seal, and the underside generally inspected for any new corrosion on subframe mounting points, mounting brackets and structural members that could compromise future test outcomes.