2021 Volkswagen Crafter — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen Crafter passed 90.6% of its 659 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (13.8% fail rate), the 2021 Crafter comes out 4.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 6.7% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Crafter fails 5.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 10.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 44 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.3% | 22 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.9% | 19 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.4% | 9 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 16 |
| 3 | Wipers | 13 |
| 4 | Washers | 12 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.2% | 67 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 53 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.6% | 37 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 31 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 19 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.7% | 18 |
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 | 297 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 195 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 107 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 45 | 8.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 304 | 9.2% |
| 2025 | 335 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Crafter
On a 2021 Crafter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Crafters pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 659 2021 Volkswagen Crafter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Crafter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by visibility (3.3%).
Does the 2021 Crafter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 659 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.