2021 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 passed 92.8% of its 264 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.3%) and tyres (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 10 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.0% in the 0-30k band and 13.5% in the 60-90k band, a 11.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 9.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 14 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.4% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 6 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 3 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 3 | Washers | 4 |
| 4 | Joints | 3 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.5% | 25 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.8% | 18 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.5% | 12 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 11 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 5 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 99 | 2.0% |
| 30-60k | 84 | 7.1% |
| 60-90k | 52 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 132 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 130 | 5.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Crafter Cr35
On a 2021 Crafter Cr35, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35s pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 264 2021 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Crafter Cr35?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by tyres (3.4%).
Does the 2021 Crafter Cr35 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.0% in the 0-30k band to 13.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 264 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.