EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) vs 1.8 NA
Side-by-side reliability comparison
Specifications
Character
EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA)
"The three-cylinder common-rail 1.4 TDI of the EA288 family (2014-2018), 75-105 hp, in the VW Polo, Skoda Fabia III and Rapid, SEAT Ibiza and Audi A1. It replaced the 1.2 and 1.6 TDI in small cars and is not the older 1.4 TDI pump-injector engine. Economical, but the French press reported early problems: EGR valve and particulate filter clogging, dual-mass flywheel wear and water pump leaks; a few owners report engine failures without warning. Best for cars that do regular longer runs; check the service history and the coolant level."
1.8 NA
"Simple 1.8-litre 8-valve petrol with single-point Mono-Motronic injection and hydraulic lifters, in the Golf III, Vento, Passat B3/B4, Polo 6N and Seat Ibiza, Cordoba and Toledo. Long-lived: an Auto Bild test car covered 261,724 km in seven years, and specialists quote about 300,000 km. Expect oil leaks from seals and the valve cover, tired lambda and coolant temperature sensors, and an unstable idle from a dirty or split throttle body. Keep the timing belt tensioned and changed on time: a slack belt can jump and wreck the engine."