2.0 TDI PD (EA188) vs 1.9 TDI (ALH)

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.9 TDI (ALH) BEST 92/100
+20 points over 2.0 TDI PD (EA188)
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE 2.0 TDI PD (EA188) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI (ALH) Volkswagen

Specifications

2.0 TDI PD (EA188)
1.9 TDI (ALH)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
72
92
Years
2003--2009
1996--2006
Displacement
1968 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
136--170 hp
90 hp
Known Issues
0
3
Total Risk Cost
€0--€0
€1,150--€2,900

Character

2.0 TDI PD (EA188)

"Pump-Düse system. Strong but injector-hungry. DPF issues if city-only. Good highway engine."

1.9 TDI (ALH)

"The legendary ALH. 500k+ miles documented. Simple mechanical injection. Nearly unkillable. Belt-driven."

Issues Comparison

2.0 TDI PD (EA188) 0

No documented issues.

1.9 TDI (ALH) 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

2.0 TDI PD (EA188) 19

Toledo Mk3 (5P) 2005--2009 Altea 5P 2004--2015 Leon 1P 2005--2012 Touran 1T 2003--2010 Leon Mk2 (1P) 2005--2012 Octavia 1Z 2004--2008 Golf Mk5 (1K) 2003--2008 A3 8P 2003--2008 Passat B6 (3C) 2005--2010 A4 B6/B7 2004--2008 A6 C6 2004--2011 Golf Mk5 (1K) 2006--2008 Altea 5P 2006--2015 Passat B6 (3C) 2005--2010 A3 8P 2006--2012 Leon Mk2 (1P) 2006--2012 Octavia 1Z 2006--2013 Leon 1P 2006--2012 Alhambra 7M 2005--2010

1.9 TDI (ALH) 2

Golf 1.9 TDI MK4 1997--2004 Hatchback Polo 1.9 TDI 9N 2001--2009 Hatchback
Full 2.0 TDI PD (EA188) Report Full 1.9 TDI (ALH) Report