1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) vs 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) BEST 89/100
+28 points over 1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS)
0 / 100
CAUTION 1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Volkswagen

Specifications

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS)
1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
CAUTION
BEST
Reliability
61
89
Years
2000--2010
1991--2006
Displacement
1896 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
100--160 hp
75--110 hp
Known Issues
8
8
Total Risk Cost
€2,086--€7,650
€1,571--€4,540

Character

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS)

"Pumpe-Duese successor to the VE. Strong and tunable, but the camshaft also drives the unit injectors and wears, and the 105 PS BXE/BLS (2006-2008) can put a con-rod through the block. Buy on history: oil spec 505.01, no long-life intervals, cold-start listen for top-end ticking or bottom-end knock."

1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)

"The rotary-pump TDI that built the legend. Simple VP37 injection, 500,000 km examples are documented. Weak spots are wear items: injection-pump seals, VTG turbo vanes, EGR soot and the dual-mass flywheel. Keep the timing belt on schedule - it is an interference engine."

Issues Comparison

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) 8

◆ CRITICAL
Con-rod and main bearing failure - rod through the block (BXE/BLS 105 PS, 2006-2008) €465--€5,850 100,000 km--210,000 km
▲ HIGH
Timing belt - interference engine, 90,000-120,000 km interval by variant N/A--N/A 90,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
PD camshaft and lifter (roller rocker) wear €1,200--N/A N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Dual-mass flywheel wear €235--€580 160,000 km--N/A
● MODERATE
Unit-injector (PD element) wear and quantity drift €70--€580 N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
VTG turbo vanes and actuator sticking €80--€520 N/A--N/A
○ MINOR
Tandem (fuel/vacuum) pump leak N/A--N/A 130,000 km--210,000 km
○ MINOR
EGR valve sooting and intake clogging €36--€120 130,000 km--160,000 km

1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) 8

▲ HIGH
Timing belt - interference engine, 60,000-120,000 km interval by variant N/A--N/A 60,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
Timing belt replacement — interference engine €250--€500 60,000 km--90,000 km
● MODERATE
VP37 injection pump seals and electronics wear €70--€420 N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Dual-mass flywheel wear €235--€580 160,000 km--N/A
● MODERATE
VTG turbo vanes and actuator sticking (AFN/ALH/ASV) €80--€520 N/A--N/A
○ MINOR
EGR valve sooting and intake clogging €36--€120 130,000 km--160,000 km
○ MINOR
Turbo wear at very high mileage €500--€1,200 200,000 km--∞
○ MINOR
Injection pump wear (very high mileage) €400--€1,200 250,000 km--∞

Models

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) 41

A4 B5 1996--2001 A4 B5 1996--2001 Octavia 1U 1997--2004 Golf Mk4 (1J) 1998--2003 Leon Mk1 (1M) 1999--2006 Toledo Mk2 (1M) 1999--2004 A3 8L 1996--2003 Leon 1M 2000--2005 Fabia 6Y 2000--2007 Octavia 1U 2000--2004 Leon Mk1 (1M) 2000--2006 A3 8L 2000--2003 Fabia 6Y 2003--2007 Golf Mk4 (1J) 2000--2003 Leon 1M 2000--2005 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2002--2008 Polo 9N 2001--2009 Octavia 1U 2000--2004 Golf Mk4 (1J) 2000--2003 Cordoba 6K/6L 1999--2009 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 Passat B6 (3C) 2005--2008 Toledo Mk3 (5P) 2005--2009 A3 8P 2003--2010 Golf Mk5 (1K) 2003--2008 Octavia 1Z 2004--2010 Altea 5P 2004--2010 Leon Mk2 (1P) 2005--2010 Superb 3T 2008--2010 Touran 1T 2003--2010 Leon 1P 2005--2010 Ibiza 6L 2002--2008 Fabia 5J 2007--2010 Roomster 5J 2006--2010 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2004--2008

1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) 16

Golf Mk3 (1H) 1996--1997 Ibiza 6K 1996--2002 Ibiza Mk2 (6K) 1996--2002 A4 B5 1996--2001 A4 B5 1996--2001 Octavia 1U 1997--2004 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 Ibiza Mk2 (6K) 1999--2002 Passat B5 (3B) 1996--2005 Golf 1.9 TDI MK4 1997--2004 Hatchback Polo 1.9 TDI 9N 2001--2009 Hatchback
Full 1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) Report Full 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Report