Question 1

Caddy History

Accepted Answer

The Volkswagen's Caddy had been available in other markets since the 1970s, but left Australia well alone. Only when Australian Volkswagen distribution moved back under factory control did the range expand sufficiently to make space for a compact delivery van.

Launched late in 2004, the Caddy was originally offered to Australia as a 1.6-litre petrol or 1.9-litre turbo-diesel. It entered a market with very little competition, yet initially had trouble convincing buyers of bigger vans that they could make do with a smaller one.

Within two years of its release though, the Volkswagen Caddy would be selling at almost 2000 units a month, justifying the faith of its brand managers, defying conventional wisdom.

Before VW entered the fray, Australia's small van market was dominated by the Holden Combo with Citroen's Berlingo a distant second. When a revamped 2010 Volkswagen Caddy appeared, Citroen was down by 25 per cent, but the Holden was in free-fall and a year away from being discontinued.

The short-wheelbase Caddy shared its floorpan and some mechanical parts with the 5th Gen. Golf. From the sills upward, though, the body was very different from anything previously offered to Volkswagen buyers.

Basic transmission was a five-speed manual with the six-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) an option on most versions. This clever concept was a dual-clutch automatic transmission that could be driven like a manual if desired. When new the DSG received high praise but real-world use showed up some serious design deficiencies.

The Caddy's diesel fuel efficiency, its big and easily-accessed load area and comfortable cabin were obvious attractions, as was VW Australia's ability to price the manual 1.6-litre at around $21,000.

Equipment even in the low-cost 1.6i included air-conditioning, remote locking, a CD sound system, ABS and a driver airbag. The 1.9TDi added remote-control mirrors (pretty essential in a van with no rear vision) and power windows.

Want to carry people and parcels in your Caddy? Just wait until mid-2006 for the launch of the Caddy Life with two conventional doors and two sliders. Extra windows were optional and the rear seat would, at a squeeze, accommodate three adults. The seat folded to provide full-length load-space as and when required. The Caddy Life, with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, was regarded as a slug (0-100km/h with a manual gearbox took 13.3 seconds), but it cost only $27,990.

For 2008, Volkswagen's miniature delivery van became a little more practical but no more powerful. The Maxi van would carry 890kg and sat on a massive (for its size) 3009mm wheelbase. Maxi Life wagons were now sold here only with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine, but three-door vans were still standard with the 1.6 petrol.

By 2010, when an upgrade was announced, the need for extra output was addressed, but not in a conventional way. All bar one of the variants in the local Caddy range was now Maxi in size and rated to carry 730-850kg, depending on which engine was installed.

Petrol engines were still available - the smallest down to 1.2 litres but turbocharged. The TDI250 had 1.6 litres of turbo-diesel engine and 250Nm of torque and came as a wagon. Buyers with serious load-carrying needs or some towing on the agenda went for the TDI320 with 103kW and 320Nm of torque. In Maxi Life form this Caddy topped the price charts at $41,490, offered climate-control air conditioning, a full complement of airbags and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Question 2

On the road

Accepted Answer

There's nothing much to excite or even find memorable in the Caddy cabin, but that doesn't mean VW's versatile little load carrier isn't effective at what it does. Two-seat versions provide plenty of occupant space and seat adjustment, and forward vision was very good. The gearshift might be a tad stumpy for those who sit well back from the wheel, but everything on the dash is sensibly located.

The diesel jumps into life with minimal rattling or shudders. If you've got a manual model the gearshift is quick, precise and even 'fun' to use. Manual shifting whether via a conventional gearbox or the DSG is pretty much essential in petrol versions, which don't deliver the same urge from low engine speeds as the diesels.

Storage space, even in two-seat versions, is good with plenty of little nooks for storage of oddments. If you plan on carrying people in the back, do spend a little extra on a Life with the optional side windows.

Noise is harder to combat and must get tiring for people who need to drive these vehicles long distances at constant speeds. The body thrumming is said to improve with a load aboard but when empty the rear section emits a constant hum. Having the optional rubber cargo mat in place should help.

Basic, typically VW suspension is quiet and deals happily with low-speed, urban bumps. Where it reportedly does struggle is at higher speeds when asked to deal with rougher rural bitumen or an unsealed surface.

The tyres are about as basic as they can be but deal with anything the typical Caddy owner is going to ask of them. Make sure the pressures are correct, as inconsistencies highlight the vagueness of the power steering response and have an effect on stability.

With the post-2010 2.0-litre TDI engine, the oil-burning Caddy delivered more power than petrol models and a massive torque advantage. Peak power in the diesel arrives at 4400rpm, and at 100km/h it is turning over at a fuel-saving 2000rpm. Fuel economy averages 6.0L/100km, with the smaller turbo-petrol engine delivering 6.4L/100km (in European testing).

The safety conscious will avoid an early Caddy but the Life had driver and passenger air-bags from launch in 2006 plus traction control and seat belt pre-tensioners. By 2010 all Caddy versions had dual bags up front, with the Maxi Life including head and side bags as well.

Question 3

Check points

Accepted Answer

>> Caddy vans and wagons have been subject to several safety-based recalls. These include a range of electrical and quality-related problems, plus the alleged deception due to installations of software which produced misleading emission readings. Websites detail rectification that should have been undertaken. Check the service book and if it is missing or incomplete consult a dealer or Volkswagen Australia before committing to buy a Caddy.

>> Recent publicity and legal action surrounding Volkswagen vehicles losing power unexpectedly should serve as a warning to anyone contemplating buying a VW with the DSG transmission. Most give no warning of impending failure, but if a DSG-equipped Caddy shudders when up or down-shifting, accelerates erratically or has warning lights that flicker while driving, find another vehicle.

>> Fuel injector failures affecting petrol and diesel engines manifest in hard starting, rough idle, poor acceleration and increased fuel consumption. Replacing injectors can be seriously expensive, so book a pre-purchase check with someone who can assess injector health.

>> Depending on how many kilometres the Caddy you choose has covered, it will soon be due for a service. Before settling on a final price for the vehicle, check with a dealer or your preferred workshop just how much that service and the one following it will cost. Some buyers have been shocked at the money involved when replacing basic items.

>> The sliding side doors don't lock in place and can slam with considerable force when being opened or closed with the vehicle on a slope. In extreme instances they can jump off their runners.

Used vehicle grading
Design & Function: 14/20
Safety: 13/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 64/100

Also consider: Holden Combo; Citroen Berlingo; Renault Kangoo

Buying a used Volkswagen Caddy (2005-2013)

Caddy History

On the road

Check points

Tags