Faults:

Virtually no serious issues. Since I've owned it, it's had the proper maintenance that any normal vehicle needs.

If I have to emphasize certain details, I would say:

1) Hard starting and stalling (often due to faulty injectors, fuel system issues, or sensor problems).

Injectors are prone to failure, with some parts prone to failure.

2) Leaky injector seals can allow fuel to drain back into the tank, causing starting difficulties.

3) Clutch slipping: A leaking input shaft seal can cause clutch plate oil contamination, leading to a slipping clutch. For this reason I had to replace the clutch after 50,000 kilometers.

No more major problems, after more than 13 years of use and several kilometers, I would say it is a van with few relevant faults.

General Comments:

The van is relatively comfortable, handles really well on short trips, and is very economical. It's a perfect vehicle for city work; it's easy to drive and very maneuverable.

Driving impressions of the Caddy are very positive. After what I read before buying the van, I expected it to be a real slug, but no, nothing of the sort, it was perfectly fine. I will admit though, that it probably wouldn't be the ideal choice for anyone who spends a lot of time on the motorway or dual carriageways as 110 kph equals a rather busy 3200rpm; even so, I must say that, at least in my experience, it drives quite calmly and normally on the highway, at a cruising speed of 120-130 km/h, and with a contained fuel consumption.

Safety equipment is OK and as standard it features ABS brakes, traction control and engine braking control.

There's also a driver's airbag, while passenger and side airbags were optional.

Disc brakes are fitted to all wheels and there's an electronic brake force distribution system to ensure optimum braking performance irrespective of load.

The SDI engine is the last naturally aspirated diesel engine made, it has 68 hp and provides leisurely performance, it's not fast (logical since it doesn't have a turbo), it's a bit noisy, but it's super reliable. Once you get used to its handling, you'll find it pleasant and familiar; it's a work engine, but it's well-suited for normal, everyday use.

Faults:

Mostly all things connected to the wheels and suspension have been replaced lots of times; mostly the drop bars and CV joints need replacing every year.

The engine itself is great.

The gearbox is a nightmare, as is the auto door lock system, but I still love it for the level of comfort and style.

General Comments:

Very economic engine. Great for people who spend 8 hours a day driving.

The main bugbear is the CV joints.

Faults:

While driving in the city of Brisbane making deliveries in it, the clutch completely gave way, going straight to the floor, making the car undrivable. This has happened at just approx. 13,500 km. There was no warning that anything was wrong with the clutch, as one would normally expect. The car had to be subsequently driven to a safer spot - approx 400 metres, and a strong burning smell was at this point noted, but not when the clutch went initially to the floor in the first place.

Upon examination, the clutch was shown to have extensive damage. However, there would surely have been some signs during normal driving that something was wrong with the clutch with this damage. It is the opinion of our mechanic, who examined the clutch independently, that this damage occurred during the 400 metres or so that the vehicle had to be driven to get it to a safer spot. VW Australia and the (QLD) dealership from which we bought it are stonewalling the issue, being extremely arrogant and unhelpful, and only keen to blame us - NO clutch riding took place with the 2 drivers who were driving it. Both drivers have no history whatsoever of clutch riding in their very long driving histories, but this is all VW is saying, placing full blame on us. We have lost income - milk was lost when the vehicle broke down - and deliveries could not be made for a week afterwards, until VW finally decided that we were in fact eligible for a courtesy vehicle - for 5 days.

Also, VW went against its own Customer Charter by refusing to tow the Caddy to our dealership of choice, instead insisting it had to go to the nearest dealership, leaving the driver to fend for himself many miles from home and with milk on board. No recompense is being offered.

General Comments:

Otherwise seemed to be going well.