2.5 TDI V6 vs 1.9 TDI (ALH)

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.9 TDI (ALH) BEST 92/100
+52 points over 2.5 TDI V6
0 / 100
AVOID 2.5 TDI V6 Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI (ALH) Volkswagen

Specifications

2.5 TDI V6
1.9 TDI (ALH)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
AVOID
BEST
Reliability
40
92
Years
1998--2005
1996--2006
Displacement
2496 cc
1896 cc
Layout
V6
I4
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
150--180 hp
90 hp
Known Issues
1
3
Total Risk Cost
€2,000--€6,000
€1,150--€2,900

Character

2.5 TDI V6

"Same engine as Audi 2.5 TDI. Camshaft wear destroys engine. Timing belt critical. Oil pump drive hex key shears. One of VW/Audi's worst engines. Avoid at all costs."

1.9 TDI (ALH)

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

Issues Comparison

2.5 TDI V6 1

◆ CRITICAL
Camshaft lobe wear €2,000--€6,000 80,000 km--150,000 km

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

2.5 TDI V6 3

Passat B5 (3B) 1998--2005 Touareg 7L 2003--2010 Superb 3U 2003--2008

1.9 TDI (ALH) 2

Golf 1.9 TDI MK4 1997--2004 Hatchback Polo 1.9 TDI 9N 2001--2009 Hatchback
Full 2.5 TDI V6 Report Full 1.9 TDI (ALH) Report