EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) 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
+15 points over EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA)
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Volkswagen

Specifications

EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA)
1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
74
89
Years
2014--2018
1991--2006
Displacement
1422 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I3
I4
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
75--105 hp
75--110 hp
Known Issues
4
8
Total Risk Cost
€0--€8,000
€1,571--€4,540

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."

1.9 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

EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) 4

▲ HIGH
EGR valve and particulate filter (DPF) clogging N/A--€1,500 N/A--N/A
▲ HIGH
Sudden engine failure (cause not documented) N/A--€6,500 112,000 km--N/A
● MODERATE
Dual-mass flywheel wear N/A--N/A N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Water pump leak 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

EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) 7

Polo 6R/6C 2015--2017 Fabia NJ 2015--2018 Ibiza Mk4 (6J) 2015--2017 Rapid NH 2015--2019 Ibiza 6J 2015--2017 Fabia NJ 2015--2018 Polo 1.4 TDI 6R 2009--2017 Hatchback

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 EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) Report Full 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Report