EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB) 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
+6 points over EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB)
0 / 100
BUY EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Volkswagen

Specifications

EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB)
1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
BUY
BEST
Reliability
83
89
Years
2012--2020
1991--2006
Displacement
1798 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Petrol Turbo
Diesel
Power
180--192 hp
75--110 hp
Known Issues
2
8
Total Risk Cost
€400--€800
€1,571--€4,540

Character

EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB)

"The third-generation 1.8 TSI/TFSI (2012-2020): 180 hp in the Audi A3 8V, Skoda Octavia III and Superb III, SEAT Leon III and VW Passat B8, 192 hp in the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI. Timing chain, port plus direct injection and an IHI turbo; it is not the oil-burning Gen 2 1.8 TSI of 2007-2012. The known weak point is the plastic water pump and thermostat housing, which leaks coolant (typically around 90,000 km) and was the subject of a US class-action settlement. Some engines use more oil than they should; check the level and the coolant reservoir before buying."

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

EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB) 2

▲ HIGH
Water pump and thermostat housing coolant leak €400--€800 90,000 km--N/A
● MODERATE
Higher than normal 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
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

EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB) 7

Passat B8 (3G) 2015--2018 Leon Mk3 (5F) 2013--2018 Leon 5F 2013--2018 Ibiza Mk4 (6J) 2015--2017 Octavia 5E 2013--2017 Superb 3V 2015--2018 A3 8V 2012--2016

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 EA888 Gen 3 1.8 TSI/TFSI (CJSA/CJSB/DAJA/DAJB) Report Full 1.9 TDI VE (1Z/AHU/AFN/ALH/ASV/AHF/AGR) Report