The VW Crafter is the German answer to the Transit Custom. It shares its platform with the Mercedes Sprinter (from 2017 onwards, they're the same van underneath with different badges and tuning). This makes the reliability picture complicated — early Crafters are different vans from later ones.
This guide covers Crafter reliability by generation, the known issues, and whether it's a better buy than a Transit or Sprinter for a campervan build.
Generations
Crafter (2006-2016) — The "Old Crafter"
Built on a VW-designed platform (not shared with Mercedes). Available with a 2.5 TDI 5-cylinder engine (136hp or 163hp) or a 2.0 TDI 4-cylinder (109hp or 136hp).
Reliability: Mixed. The 2.5 5-cylinder is genuinely reliable (bulletproof, many examples over 300k miles). The 2.0 4-cylinder had injector issues and DPF problems.
Known issues:
- Rust on rear wheel arches and door bottoms (similar to Transit Custom, better than Sprinter)
- Injector failure on 2.0 TDI (£200-400 each fitted)
- DPF issues on short runs (same as every diesel van)
- Door handle mechanisms break (£60-120 for parts)
- Glow plug failures in winter (£150-200 for a set)
Parts availability: Poor compared to Ford or Mercedes. VW stopped supporting some parts in 2023. Aftermarket parts are limited. Independent VW specialists are rarer than Ford specialists.
Verdict: The 2.5 5-cylinder (2006-2010) is a solid buy if you find a clean one. The 2.0 TDI (2011-2016) is not worth considering over a Transit Custom.
Crafter (2017-present) — The "New Crafter" (aka Sprinter)
From 2017, the Crafter is built on the same platform as the Mercedes Sprinter (907). The badge and tuning are VW's, but the engine, gearbox, suspension, and body are Mercedes.
This means: The New Crafter is a Mercedes Sprinter with a VW badge, VW-specific software tuning, and VW parts prices.
Reliability: Mercedes-level (good, not great). The OM654 4-cylinder diesel (140hp, 165hp, or 175hp) is the same engine Mercedes uses in the Sprinter and E-Class. It's refined, responsive, and reasonably efficient.
Known issues:
- AdBlue system faults (same as Sprinter — crystallised injector nozzle, £300-400)
- DPF regen issues on short drives (same as Sprinter)
- EGR valve clogging (common, £400-600 to replace)
- Steering rack failures (reported on early 2017-2018 models)
- Wiring harness chafing near the DPF heat shield (causes intermittent electrical faults)
Parts: You buy Mercedes parts, priced at Mercedes prices. A brake disk for a Crafter is the same part as a Sprinter's, with the same £120 price tag. VW dealers can order Crafter parts but usually take 2-3 days (Mercedes dealers have them same-day).
Verdict: The New Crafter is a good van that's let down by VW's pricing and parts network. You're paying VW premium for a Mercedes van without Mercedes's dealer network.
Key Reliability Comparison
| Issue | Ford Transit Custom | Mercedes Sprinter | VW Crafter (New) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rust | Bad (pre-2020) | Poor (pre-2018) | Good (all years) |
| Engine reliability | Good (2.0 EcoBlue) | Good (OM654) | Good (OM654 shared) |
| DPF/AdBlue | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate (same system) |
| Parts cost | ££ | £££ | £££ |
| Dealer network | Excellent | Good | Poor (fewer VWCV dealers) |
| Typical mpg | 34-38 | 30-34 | 30-34 (heavier) |
| Used price (2018) | £15-18k | £18-25k | £18-22k |
The Crafter's Advantages
Size Options
The Crafter (like the Sprinter) is available in configurations the Transit Custom can't match:
- Short wheelbase (5.2m overall) — for tight parking
- Medium-high roof (1.8m internal) — for shorter builds
- Extra-long (7.2m overall) — for full-timers who need space
- 3,500kg to 5,500kg GVW — for heavy conversions
Interior Height
The New Crafter's high roof (1.9m internal) is the same as the Sprinter's. The Transit Custom's high roof is 1.76m — if you're over 5'9", you're stooping. The Crafter gives full standing height for most people.
Build Quality
The Crafter doesn't rust like a Transit or Sprinter. VW galvanised the body panels, and the paint is thicker. A 2018 Crafter parked next to a 2018 Transit will look noticeably better on the sills and wheel arches.
Driving
The New Crafter drives like a Sprinter — planted on motorways, confident on A-roads, heavy on country lanes. The steering is heavier than the Transit Custom. The turning circle is larger. It's a van for covering miles, not for nipping around town.
The Crafter's Disadvantages
Parts Availability
VW Commercial Vehicles has about 170 UK dealerships. Ford has 350+. If you break down in the Highlands, the nearest VWCV dealer might be 100+ miles away. Ford has a dealer in every town.
Weight
The New Crafter is heavier than the Transit Custom (kerb weight ~2,200kg vs ~2,000kg). Heavier means:
- Lower payload (1,100-1,200kg vs 1,200-1,400kg) despite same GVW
- Lower fuel economy (30-34 mpg vs 34-38 mpg)
- More tyre wear (heavier on front tyres)
Cost
A 2018 Crafter 35 (3,500kg) costs £18-22k. A 2018 Transit Custom L2H2 costs £15-18k. The Crafter is 15-25% more expensive for similar mileage and condition. Some of that extra cost is justified (no rust), but some is just the VW badge premium.
Which Crafter to Buy
Old Crafter (2006-2016)
Only buy the 2.5 TDI 5-cylinder (2006-2010). Check for rust on the rear wheel arches and door bottoms. Parts availability is a genuine concern — you may struggle to find a replacement alternator or starter motor. If you're not a confident mechanic with parts connections, avoid.
New Crafter (2017+)
The 35 (3,500kg) with the 140hp or 165hp engine is the best option. The 175hp is more powerful but only available on higher GVW versions (3,800kg+) which need a C1 licence for post-1997 drivers.
Avoid:
- 2017-2018 models with steering rack issues (check the service history)
- Any Crafter without full service history from a VWCV dealer or Mercedes specialist
- High-mileage examples (100k+ miles) without evidence of AdBlue system maintenance
Verdict
The VW Crafter (New) is the best-built van of the three if you judge by rust resistance and refinement. It's also the most expensive to buy and maintain. For a full-time live-in build where you keep the van for 10+ years, the Crafter's lack of rust makes it a better long-term investment than a Transit Custom.
For a weekend conversion or a first build, the Transit Custom is more practical — cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, easier to find parts for, and plenty reliable enough for most people.
