The headline
The verdict, and the issues that matter most
Top findings
Ad analysisVerified records
The car's official records and documented history
Provenance Check Vault
Clear VerifiedOutstanding finance
Clear- What we checked
- Experian's register of finance agreements, where UK lenders record hire purchase, PCP, conditional sale and lease agreements secured on a vehicle.
- Why it matters
- A car on finance belongs to the lender until the agreement is settled. Sold with money still owing, it can be taken back from whoever has it, and you would be left chasing the seller for your money.
- What it can't tell you
- An unsecured personal loan is not tied to the car, so it does not appear here and is not a risk to you. An agreement taken out in the last few days may not be registered yet.
Reported stolen
Clear- What we checked
- Police National Computer records of stolen vehicles, supplied through Experian.
- Why it matters
- A stolen car stays the property of its owner or their insurer. The police can take it from you without compensation, however honestly you bought it.
- What it can't tell you
- A theft reported in the last day or two may not be recorded yet. It also cannot spot a clone, a stolen car wearing this car's plates, which is why matching the VIN in the Identity section matters.
High-risk register
Clear- What we checked
- Experian's high-risk register, where lenders, insurers and hire firms flag a car they have an interest in or believe is at risk of being sold fraudulently.
- Why it matters
- An entry means a company wants to hear from anyone checking the car before it changes hands.
- What it can't tell you
- It only holds what a company has chosen to register.
Write-off and salvage
Clear- What we checked
- Insurers' total-loss records (the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register), supplied through Experian. It covers Category A, B, S and N write-offs and the older C and D.
- Why it matters
- A written-off car is worth less, some insurers will not cover one, and a poor structural repair is a safety risk.
- What it can't tell you
- Damage repaired without an insurance claim, or repaired by the insurer rather than written off, is not on any register. Still look for uneven panel gaps, paint that does not quite match and overspray on rubbers.
- What we checked
- CarGuide's records of UK salvage auction listings, with the auction's photos where it published them.
- Why it matters
- Damaged cars are sometimes sold through a salvage auction without ever being recorded as an insurance write-off, for example by a fleet or an uninsured owner. The listing can be the only trace.
- What it can't tell you
- No auction database is complete, and a damaged car sold privately leaves no record at all.
Identity
Match theseA cloned car wears a genuine car's plates. The VIN is how you catch it: it is stamped on the car and printed on the V5C, and both must match this record.
Keepers, plates and logbooks
InfoThe current keeper has had this car for about 38 months.
Keeper changes
No plate change and no colour change is recorded, so the car's earlier history, adverts and MOTs should all sit under this registration.
Logbooks (V5C) issued
Previous history checks
InfoThis car has been history-checked 10 times before, 4 of them in the 90 days before this check. Each of our own checks adds one.
Several recent checks mean other buyers or traders have been looking at this car. If it is still for sale after a run of checks, it is fair to ask the seller why earlier buyers walked away.
Mileage pattern
From the MOT recordNothing unusual in how the mileage has built up between MOTs. The provenance provider holds no odometer history for this check, so mileage is judged from the DVSA MOT record, shown in full in the MOT section.
Factory specification
InfoUse this to check the advert. If the seller claims a trim, engine or power figure that isn't here, ask them to show you where it comes from.
Timeline
21 eventsCheck these in person
Before you pay- Find the VIN on the car (base of the windscreen, door pillar or under the bonnet) and on the V5C. Both must end 04417.
- The V5C the seller shows you should be dated 9 Nov 2022. An earlier date means it is not the current logbook; 5 have been issued for this car.
- The keeper on the V5C should have had the car since Oct 2022. Check the name and address against the seller's photo ID, and view the car at that address.
- Pay by bank transfer, not cash, and get a dated receipt signed by the seller with their name and address on it.
DVLA Verification
Info VerifiedMOT History
Info VerifiedWe have not checked the MOT history yet
This advert did not give us a registration, so we could not look the vehicle up. Without one there is no DVSA record to read: no test history, no failures or advisories, and no recorded mileage to check the seller's figure against.
Mileage Analysis
Info VerifiedOdometer consistency
Service History
Info Ad analysisTiming belt and clutch replacement claimed by seller — no supporting invoice supplied
Full service — engine oil & filter, fuel filter and brake fluid renewed. MOT passed with advisories
Habitation service & LPG gas safety certificate — motorhome systems checked
Front brake discs & pads replaced, EGR valve cleaned, new leisure battery fitted
Interim service — oil & filter, AdBlue top-up and air-con re-gas
Cambelt, tensioner & water pump replaced (full timing kit) at VW main dealer
Routine service — oil, filters & inspection. Earliest documented record
More About This Car
Everything we hold on this model, free
This report reads one advert. These pages hold what we know about every Volkswagen Crafter, free, and they are where the detail behind the checks above lives.
- 27.5 mpg real-world average, 83% of the official figure, from 35 owner submissions.Volkswagen Crafter Real MPG by engine →
Motorhome Checks
Ad analysisThe advert shows wood panelling near the rear doors which is prone to water ingress on Crafters. Ensure no spongy floors around the sleeping area.
No habitation checks are mentioned in the advert. For a self-build conversion of this age, a recent certified habitation check is strongly recommended.
The seller mentions a diesel heater and a 12V split relay system, but no 240V hookup or gas safety certificates are provided. Verify electrical safety before use.
Heavy timber conversions on 3.5T vans often leave very little payload remaining. Request a recent weighbridge ticket to ensure it is legally drivable on a standard licence.
Risk & cost analysis
Our read of what's wrong and what it should cost
Risk Breakdown
Ad analysisCommon Issues
Ad analysisEGR Cooler Internal Failure
ExpensiveRough guide: £1,500-£4,000- “just needs a splash of coolant now and then”
- “tiny coolant leak, nothing to worry about”
Sellers often use wording like this to soft-pedal this exact fault.
Check the coolant header tank for oily residue and ask for proof the EGR cooler has been replaced with the updated 'Version D' part. Any unexplained coolant loss on this engine is a serious warning sign.
“At 203k miles, if this hasn't been replaced with the updated 'Version D' part, it is a ticking time bomb for the engine.”
Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) Wear
ExpensiveRough guide: £800-£1,500“The seller claims the clutch was done, but often the expensive DMF is skipped to save costs. Always demand the invoice for both.”
Propshaft Centre Bearing Failure
MinorRough guide: £250-£500“Frequently overlooked in services; at this mileage, the propshaft should be inspected for play immediately.”
Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.
MOT Repair Estimates
Ad analysisThin Brake Discs
£180-£250Brake discs thin over time due to friction with the pads; these are nearing their minimum thickness but haven't reached the fail limit yet.
Risk level: Medium Risk
Corroded Exhaust Hangers
£60-£120Corroded hangers can snap, causing the heavy exhaust system to sag or fall, potentially damaging the DPF or sensor wiring.
Risk level: Medium Risk
Insecure Lights
£40-£80Loose lights can allow water ingress into the electrical pins or eventually fall off the vehicle during transit.
Risk level: Low Risk
Negotiation
Ad analysisThe offer reflects the extremely high mileage (203k), the suspicious MOT data, and the estimated £1,500 required for immediate maintenance (water pump, DMF, brakes, and habitation safety checks).
Cost Analysis
Ad analysisRunning Costs
Ad analysisYour next steps
What to chase, ask and check before you buy
Missing Information
Ad analysisDocumentary proof of the claimed 'Full Service History' and clutch replacement
Action Plan
Ad analysisBefore You Buy
Universal checks for any used car
Whatever you decide about this car, these apply to every used-car purchase. Don't skip them.
- View the car in daylight and dry weather. Rain hides paint defects and panel gaps. Dim light hides rust, filler repairs and worn interiors. Never agree to a viewing in conditions that work in the seller's favour.
- Start the car from cold yourself. Ask the seller not to warm it up before you arrive. A cold start reveals smoke, rattles and hard starting that a warm engine hides. If the bonnet is already warm when you get there, ask why, and be prepared to come back another day to start it cold.
- Ask to see the V5C logbook before you hand over money. The seller's name and address on the V5C must match their ID and the address you're viewing the car at. A V5C in someone else's name, or a refusal to show it, is the single biggest red flag in private sales.
- Ask for receipts and documents for any work the seller claims was done. If they say the timing belt, clutch or any major part was replaced, ask to see the invoice. A genuine repair leaves a paper trail with a garage name, date and mileage on it. Check the mileage on old invoices climbs in the right order too; receipts that go backwards are a sign of a tampered odometer.
- Check the VIN matches in three places. The VIN on the V5C, the VIN stamped on the chassis (usually under the bonnet or on the door pillar), and the VIN in the advert must all match exactly. Mismatches indicate cloning or ringing.
- Never pay a deposit to hold a car you haven't seen, and walk away if the seller refuses an independent inspection. Deposit requests for a car you've only seen in photos, especially by bank transfer or gift card, are one of the most common used-car scams. A genuine seller has nothing to fear from an AA, RAC or independent mechanic inspection. Refusal, or pressure to complete before you can arrange one, means there is something they don't want found.
How we scored it
The weighting behind the verdict score
Scoring Formula
Ad analysisThe algorithm
Your Verdict Score is a weighted calculation designed to surface hidden financial liabilities before you buy.
How to improve your score
Your score currently reflects verified records. To further reduce risk, conduct a thorough physical inspection using the Action Plan checklist, and confirm any service history the seller claims but the records don't yet show.