2007 Volkswagen Crafter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,993 MOT tests, the 2007 Volkswagen Crafter recorded a 73.8% pass rate. Against vans of a similar age (29.3% fail rate), the 2007 Crafter comes out 3.1pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 15.2% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), service brake performance and rigid brake pipes — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 256 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.3% versus 22.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.2% | 456 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 364 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.0% | 239 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 177 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 150 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 126 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 256 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 145 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 141 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 120 |
| 5 | Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo | 115 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 104 |
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 | 42.5% | 1,272 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 880 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.4% | 672 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.8% | 622 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.8% | 532 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 479 |
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 | 50 | 22.0% |
| 30-60k | 118 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 285 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 472 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 706 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,304 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 573 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 598 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 584 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 621 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 617 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Crafter
On a 2007 Crafter, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2007 Volkswagen Crafters pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 2,993 2007 Volkswagen Crafter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volkswagen Crafter?
Brakes, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.2%).
Does the 2007 Crafter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,993 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.