EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA) 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
+23 points over EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA)
0 / 100
CAUTION EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Volkswagen

Specifications

EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA)
1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
CAUTION
BEST
Reliability
66
89
Years
2007--2015
1991--2006
Displacement
1390 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Petrol Turbo
Diesel
Power
122--131 hp
75--110 hp
Known Issues
3
8
Total Risk Cost
€800--€6,000
€1,571--€4,540

Character

EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA)

"The simpler single-turbo EA111 - no supercharger, less heat, fewer piston failures than the twincharger. Its weak point is the same timing chain and tensioner, improved in 2010 but still a known failure. Budget a chain kit unless there is an invoice, and keep oil changes at 10,000-15,000 km."

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 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA) 3

◆ CRITICAL
Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure - chain can jump, engine damage €800--€6,000 98,000 km--150,000 km
▲ HIGH
Weak pistons and rings - less common than on the twincharger N/A--N/A N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Elevated oil consumption 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
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

EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA) 10

Golf Mk5 (1K) 2005--2008 Passat B7 (3C) 2010--2014 Tiguan 5N 2007--2011 Leon 1P 2007--2012 Golf Mk6 (5K) 2008--2012 Leon Mk2 (1P) 2007--2012 Octavia 1Z 2008--2013 Rapid NH 2012--2019 Yeti 5L 2010--2018 Superb 3T 2008--2013

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 EA111 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAXC/CNVA) Report Full 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Report