1.8 NA vs 1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV)

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV) BEST 92/100
+12 points over 1.8 NA
0 / 100
BUY 1.8 NA Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV) Volkswagen

Specifications

1.8 NA
1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
BUY
BEST
Reliability
80
92
Years
1991--2000
1996--2009
Displacement
1781 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Petrol Na
Diesel
Power
90 hp
90--150 hp
Known Issues
1
3
Total Risk Cost
€200--€400
€1,150--€2,900

Character

1.8 NA

"Golf III/IV, Passat B4. Simple 8V NA. Hydraulic lifters. Timing belt (interference). Oil leaks. Nearly unbreakable with basic maintenance. One of VW's most reliable engines."

1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV)

"Legendary diesel. 500k+ miles documented. Simple, efficient, nearly unkillable. Belt-driven."

Issues Comparison

1.8 NA 1

▲ HIGH
Timing belt (interference) €200--€400 60,000 km--90,000 km

1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV) 3

▲ HIGH
Timing belt replacement — interference engine €250--€500 60,000 km--90,000 km
○ MINOR
Injection pump wear (very high mileage) €400--€1,200 250,000 km--∞
○ MINOR
Turbo wear at very high mileage €500--€1,200 200,000 km--∞

Models

1.8 NA 1

Golf Mk3 (1H) 1991--1997

1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV) 62

Golf Mk3 (1H) 1996--1997 Ibiza 6K 1996--2002 Ibiza Mk2 (6K) 1996--2002 Felicia 791 1996--2001 Polo 6N 1996--2001 A4 B5 1996--2001 A4 B5 1996--2001 Octavia 1U 1997--2004 Golf Mk4 (1J) 1998--2003 Leon Mk1 (1M) 1999--2006 Octavia 1U 1996--2004 Leon 1M 1999--2005 Leon Mk1 (1M) 1999--2006 Golf Mk4 (1J) 1997--2003 Toledo Mk2 (1M) 1999--2004 A3 8L 1996--2003 Arosa 6H 2000--2004 Polo 6N 1999--2001 Polo 9N 2001--2009 Fabia 6Y 2003--2007 Cordoba 6K/6L 2002--2009 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2002--2008 Leon 1M 2000--2005 Ibiza Mk2 (6K) 1999--2002 Fabia 6Y 2000--2007 A3 8L 2000--2003 Fabia 6Y 2003--2007 Golf Mk4 (1J) 2000--2003 Octavia 1U 2000--2004 Leon Mk1 (1M) 2000--2006 Leon 1M 2000--2005 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2002--2008 Polo 9N 2001--2009 Golf Mk4 (1J) 2000--2003 Octavia 1U 2000--2004 Cordoba 6K/6L 1999--2009 Fabia 6Y 2003--2007 Alhambra 7M 1996--2010 Passat B5 (3B) 1996--2005 A4 B6/B7 2001--2006 Superb 3U 2002--2008 Superb 3U 2002--2008 A6 C5 1997--2004 Transporter T5 2003--2009 Leon 1P 2005--2010 Leon Mk2 (1P) 2005--2010 A3 8P 2003--2010 Superb 3T 2008--2010 Golf Mk5 (1K) 2003--2008 Altea 5P 2004--2010 Octavia 1Z 2004--2010 Toledo Mk3 (5P) 2005--2009 Touran 1T 2003--2010 Passat B6 (3C) 2005--2008 Ibiza 6L 2002--2008 Roomster 5J 2006--2010 Fabia 5J 2007--2010 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2004--2008 Roomster 5J 2006--2010 Fabia 5J 2007--2010 Fabia 5J 2007--2010 Golf 1.9 TDI MK4 1997--2004 Hatchback
Full 1.8 NA Report Full 1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV) Report