VW Caddy: Only Partially Recommendable As A Used Vehicle

Table of contents:

VW Caddy: Only Partially Recommendable As A Used Vehicle
VW Caddy: Only Partially Recommendable As A Used Vehicle

Video: VW Caddy: Only Partially Recommendable As A Used Vehicle

Video: VW Caddy: Only Partially Recommendable As A Used Vehicle
Video: Watch before buying a VW CADDY! 2024, March
Anonim

The VW Caddy has been on the market on an unchanged platform since 2003. Accordingly, there are also many used cars.

But are they to be recommended? Only to a limited extent, because the TÜV report is waiting for the space giant from Wolfsburg with older age

spoods.de

The VW Caddy is in great demand for its distinctive transport talent. The box variants offer up to 3.7 cubic meters of storage space and 741 kilograms of payload. A 70 centimeter wide sliding door on the passenger side makes space for large packages, lashing eyes secure the load, and a wall separates the cab.

Alternatively, the Caddy is also available as a fully open passenger car with up to seven seats and a large trunk, which is popular with families as an inexpensive and spacious alternative to the van. The long version “Maxi”, stretched by almost half a meter, is huge and even an alternative to large vans such as a T6.

Large range of engines

In its 15-year career, the Caddy has had two facelifts and a variety of engines. Around 70 percent of used vehicles have a diesel in their bow. Until the 2010 facelift, these were neither particularly lively nor particularly economical. The naturally aspirated 2.0 SDI with 69 PS only manages just over 140 km / h and needs over 20 seconds for the 100 km / h sprint with a consumption of 6.5 liters. Between 2008 and 2010 only a bearish two-liter diesel with 140 hp was available.

From model year 2011 to summer 2015, the 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI cheat software units were used in various power levels between 75 PS and 170 PS, sometimes in combination with all-wheel drive and an attractive DSG transmission. Only from model year 2016 onwards will there be a choice of comparatively clean, efficient diesels with between 75 HP and 150 HP with only two liters displacement. Only these newer diesel engines meet Euro 6 or 6d temp.

1.0 TSI good compromise

During the long construction period, the Caddy was also offered with 1.0 to 2.0 liter gasoline engines with a power range from 75 HP to 131 HP. Probably the best compromise between brisk propulsion and low consumption is offered by the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI with 102 PS that has been installed since mid-2015. Another recommendable petrol engine is the 1.2 TSI with 105 PS available from model year 2011. As fundamentally interesting alternatives to the economical diesel, CNG and LPG gas variants are also recommended. Since the 2015 facelift, the 1.4 TGI has unquestionably the best natural gas engine. But no matter which gas variant seems attractive: All three are rare.

As the very modest level of performance suggests: You won't be too fast on the road with a Caddy. That is a good thing, because the chassis with rigid axle and leaf springs at the rear has been optimized primarily for payload rather than dynamics. Compared to family vans with independent suspension, the handling of the Caddy is rather spongy.

ESP only from 2010

ESP has only been a standard feature since the 2010 facelift, so be careful with older models. The passenger airbag is subject to a surcharge for the panel van, it is included for the station wagon. The Caddy passed the EuroNCAP crash test in 2007 with four out of five stars. Since the high-roof combination comes from the commercial vehicle division, almost any comfort equipment is subject to a surcharge, so there are many sparse caddies on the market. Anyone who is satisfied with basic comfort such as power windows, air conditioning and CD radio will quickly find what they are looking for.

Items with the Trendline equipment, which can still be expanded, are relatively common. If you want more, you should look for the Comfortline or special models such as the Cup or Family. As is usual with commercial vehicles, caddies are often used intensively as company cars, but tend to be neglected when it comes to maintenance. In view of the relatively high average mileage, the high-roof station wagons show comparatively high deficiency rates in the main inspections. In addition to the statistically mixed and slightly distorted performance, the Caddy also has a number of tangible problem areas.

Problems with springs and rear axle

In younger specimens, this includes frequent oil losses in the engines, defective lighting systems and advanced wear on the leaf springs and stop buffers on the rear axle or the brake discs. In middle age, there are more frequent rusty exhaust systems, defective sleeves of the drive shafts or striking indicators. Probably because of the often high load, clutches and transmissions also suffer more than other VW models with comparable drives. Rusty tailgates or wear and tear on the sliding door rollers and window seals are also typical caddy diseases.

Image
Image

You shouldn't let yourself be unsettled by the moderate performance of the Caddy in the TÜV report: The increased defect rates are also due to the higher average mileage. The range of caddies in all price ranges is huge. Old models with plenty of kilometers on the clock and moderately attractive engines are often offered for small four-digit sums. The supposed bargain could, however, demand more maintenance from its new owner.

In the end, younger vehicles with moderate mileage are likely to be the better choice financially. If you are looking for a still fresh Caddy from model year 2016 with a modernized look and clearly better engines, you can choose between several thousand offers. Panel van variants with moderate mileage are already being offered for high four-digit sums, while the five- and seven-seater van variants for the family are still at a consistently five-digit level. (SP-X)

Recommended: