A series of Nd-doped ScxY1-xVO4 crystals, 0 < x <= 0.01, have been grown by the Czochralski method. The growth of Nd:ScVO4 single crystal failed. For a successful growth of mixed (Sc,Y)VO4 crystals, the Sc concentration in the YVO4 melt should be below 30 at%. The segregation coefficient of neodymium is 0.54. Dependence of a vanadate structure distortion on rare-earth ion radius has been calculated. Polarized spontaneous Raman scattering spectra of the disordered (Sc,Y)VO4 and "pure" YVO4 crystals were compared. Band broadening was observed due to mainly the Sc induced disordered lattice. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.