V10 TDI 5.0 vs 1.8 NA

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.8 NA BUY 80/100
+42 points over V10 TDI 5.0
0 / 100
AVOID V10 TDI 5.0 Volkswagen
0 / 100
BUY 1.8 NA Volkswagen

Specifications

V10 TDI 5.0
1.8 NA
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
38
80
Years
2002--2010
1991--2000
Displacement
4921 cc
1781 cc
Layout
V10
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Na
Power
313 hp
90 hp
Known Issues
2
1
Total Risk Cost
€4,000--€11,000
€200--€400

Character

V10 TDI 5.0

"Touareg V10 TDI. Twin-turbo V10 diesel. Enormous torque. Timing gear failures. Turbo failures (twin system). Injectors (10). DPF. Camshaft wear. Specialist nightmare. Parts astronomical."

1.8 NA

"Golf III/IV, Passat B4. Simple 8V NA. Hydraulic lifters. Timing belt (interference). Oil leaks. Nearly unbreakable with basic maintenance. One of VW's most reliable engines."

Issues Comparison

V10 TDI 5.0 2

◆ CRITICAL
Twin turbo failure €2,000--€6,000 80,000 km--150,000 km
◆ CRITICAL
Camshaft wear €2,000--€5,000 100,000 km--200,000 km

1.8 NA 1

▲ HIGH
Timing belt (interference) €200--€400 60,000 km--90,000 km

Models

V10 TDI 5.0 1

Touareg 7L 2003--2010

1.8 NA 1

Golf Mk3 (1H) 1991--1997
Full V10 TDI 5.0 Report Full 1.8 NA Report