EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB) 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
+14 points over EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB)
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Volkswagen

Specifications

EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB)
1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
75
89
Years
2001--2015
1991--2006
Displacement
1198 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I3
I4
Type
Petrol Na
Diesel
Power
54--70 hp
75--110 hp
Known Issues
4
8
Total Risk Cost
€0--€0
€1,571--€4,540

Character

EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB)

"The small non-turbo three-cylinder petrol of the VW Polo 9N and 6R, Seat Ibiza 6L and 6J, Skoda Fabia 6Y and 5J and Roomster (2001-2015), in 6-valve (54-60 hp) and 12-valve (60-70 hp) form. Cheap to buy and to run, but rough, noisy and slow on the motorway. Its known weakness is the timing chain: the chain stretches and the tensioner can let it jump, which bends valves; German buyer guides advise avoiding it unless the chain has been renewed. Burnt valves, ignition coils and a dirty throttle body are the other common faults."

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

EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB) 4

▲ HIGH
Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (chain can jump) N/A--N/A 50,000 km--N/A
● MODERATE
Burnt valves and cylinder head damage (loss of compression) N/A--N/A 100,000 km--N/A
○ MINOR
Ignition coil failure N/A--N/A N/A--N/A
○ MINOR
Dirty throttle body or crankcase ventilation (unstable idle) N/A--N/A N/A--N/A

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
VTG turbo vanes and actuator sticking (AFN/ALH/ASV) €80--€520 N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Dual-mass flywheel wear €235--€580 160,000 km--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

EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB) 11

Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2002--2005 Polo 9N 2001--2007 Fabia 6Y 2003--2007 Ibiza 6L 2002--2005 Roomster 5J 2012--2015 Fabia 5J 2012--2014 Fabia 5J 2012--2014 Ibiza 6J 2012--2015 Polo 6R/6C 2009--2014 Ibiza Mk4 (6J) 2012--2015 Polo 6R/6C 2012--2014

1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) 15

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
Full EA111 1.2 3-cyl MPI (6V: AWY/BMD/BBM/CHFA; 12V: AZQ/BME/BZG/CGPA/CGPB/CJLB) Report Full 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Report