Payload
Payload is the maximum combined weight of passengers, luggage and accessories a car can legally carry — the difference between its kerb weight and its gross vehicle weight. Exceed it and you’re breaking the law as well as ruining the handling, braking and tyre wear. Five adults plus holiday luggage can easily top 500 kg, which is why big families should check this figure, not just the boot litres.
Example
A car with 550 kg of payload carrying four 80 kg adults has 230 kg left for luggage before it’s overloaded.