Second Hand Volkswagen Crafter Central Locking Motor

Yes, the Volkswagen Crafter is fitted with central locking motors as part of its central locking system, typically one per door, used to actuate the locking mechanism. These are genuine, replaceable components found across the Crafter range and are a common item at UK breakers yards.

This is an important boundary to be aware of: the Crafter changed generation in 2017, when Volkswagen moved from the first-generation model (built on a Mercedes Sprinter platform, roughly 2006–2016) to the all-new second-generation Crafter (2017-onwards), which is an entirely VW-designed vehicle with a different body and door architecture. Because of this significant redesign, central locking motors from the pre-2017 generation are very unlikely to be compatible with a 2017-onwards vehicle. Always confirm the exact generation and part number with the breaker against your registration before ordering.

Trim level does not affect central locking motor fitment on the Crafter — the motor itself is a mechanical actuator within the door that operates regardless of whether the vehicle is a base Startline, mid-spec Trendline, or higher-spec Highline. You may find cosmetic differences in door furniture or panel finishes when sourcing from a higher-spec breaker vehicle, but the motor unit itself should be the same within the same generation. Confirm the generation and body style with the breaker to make sure you get the right part.

No, the engine fitted to your Crafter has no bearing on the central locking motor — it is a door-mounted electrical component entirely unrelated to the drivetrain. Whether your Crafter has a 2.0 TDI or any other engine option, the relevant factors are the generation of the vehicle and the specific door position (front NS, front OS, rear, etc). Focus your enquiry with the breaker on the model year and door location rather than the engine.

In many cases the central locking motors used across the different doors of the same Crafter generation are identical units, but this is not guaranteed — some vehicles use slightly different actuators for the driver's door or tailgate compared with passenger doors. When contacting a breaker, specify which door position you need (for example, front nearside, front offside, or rear) and ask them to confirm the part matches your door before buying.

Both a 2013 and a 2016 Crafter fall within the first-generation model (approximately 2006–2016), so there is a reasonable chance the central locking motors are compatible, as the underlying vehicle platform remained consistent across this period. However, there may have been running production changes during this generation, so you should confirm the part number and door position with the breaker against your registration to be certain before purchasing.