Is the Volkswagen Caddy a Car Derived Van?
Is the VW Caddy a car-derived van?
The award-winning Volkswagen Caddy is a small van that has always had at least a loose link with the same brand's iconic Golf car - both have been sold for decades and have, over the years, gained something of a cult status. The Caddy's fifth generation was launched in mid-January 2021 as the model's Life variants were phased out.
Caddy 5 incorporated a number of improvements, including:
- A more dynamic, refined drive
- An additional trim level
- New range of emission-busting engines with enhanced fuel efficiency and lower running costs
Above all, the Caddy is known for its build quality, strong engines, powerful safety systems and for holding its value well. It's also one of those vans that scores highly when it comes to image and style. But one thing customers frequently ask us is 'is the Caddy is a car-derived van?'. Here, we attempt to answer that question.
What is a car-derived van?
First of all, we thought it would be worth defining exactly what a car-derived van is. After all, it's one of those expressions that are frequently bandied around our industry; but could you put your finger on precisely what it means?
Essentially, according to the gov.uk official definition, a car-derived van is:
A goods vehicle which is constructed or adapted as a derivative of a passenger vehicle and which has a maximum laden weight not exceeding 2 tonnes.
The Department for Transport adds that very few vans will meet the exact criteria for a car-derived model, and that, from the outside these models will appear the size of a car, but they will look and function as a van from the inside.
That's because:
- There will be no rear seat belts - or even seats
- The back of the vehicle will have a payload areas plus floor panel
- Any side windows will be opaque - and fixed shut
Car-derived van even has its own official acronym - CDV.
Equally, there are certain differences in terms of tax arrangements and speed limits. While regular vans have to travel 10mph slower than a car on single and dual carriageways, with CDVs the speed limit is always the same as if you were at the wheel of a standard car.
So is the Caddy a CDV?
Type 'is the VW Caddy a car-derived van' into Google and you will throw up some wildly varying answers. So it can be something of a grey area.
Many do consider the Caddy (or some variants of it) to be a CDV, not least because of its relationship with the Golf.
However, the loaded weight of the Caddy (the brand's smallest model) means it doesn't meet the official criteria for a CDV. Its gross vehicle weight at the lightest spec is 2,150kg, so it's simply not heavy enough. The Ford Fiesta van and Corsavan are much clearer examples of what a CDV is.
What you get instead
The VW Caddy may not technically be a car-derived vehicle, but it is a good-looking van providing a nice drive. It's also a model that's earned its good reputation for reliability - although you may find space and payload limited when compared with some of its rivals.
How we can help
At Vansdirect, we've always liked the VW Caddy, and it's one of the most popular new vans for sale we offer. Remember, we also have a decent line-up of ways to finance your fleet, from hire purchase and van leasing to contract hire. Get in touch today for an initial chat about what you need, and we'll take it from there.