Higher reliability score
2.0 8V BEST 91/100
+17 points over EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA)
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 2.0 8V Volkswagen

Specifications

EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA)
2.0 8V
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
74
91
Years
2014--2018
1998--2010
Displacement
1422 cc
1984 cc
Layout
I3
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Na
Power
75--105 hp
115--116 hp
Known Issues
4
3
Total Risk Cost
€0--€8,000
€0--€0

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."

2.0 8V

"Simple VW 2.0 eight-valve petrol (115 hp, belt-driven) in the Golf IV, Bora, New Beetle, Octavia, Fabia, Superb, Alhambra and T5. Slow but very long-lived: 300,000-400,000 km is common with belt changes. The known weakness is oil consumption from worn rings or valve-stem seals, sometimes up to a litre per 500 km, plus occasional coil pack failures. Valves usually survive a snapped belt."

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

2.0 8V 3

● MODERATE
Oil consumption (piston rings or valve-stem seals) N/A--N/A N/A--250,000 km
○ MINOR
Timing belt - keep to the change interval N/A--N/A N/A--90,000 km
○ MINOR
Ignition coil pack failure N/A--N/A N/A--N/A

Models

Full EA288 1.4 TDI (CUSA/CUSB/CUTA) Report Full 2.0 8V Report