V10 TDI 5.0 vs 1.9 TDI (ALH)

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.9 TDI (ALH) BEST 92/100
+54 points over V10 TDI 5.0
0 / 100
AVOID V10 TDI 5.0 Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI (ALH) Volkswagen

Specifications

V10 TDI 5.0
1.9 TDI (ALH)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
AVOID
BEST
Reliability
38
92
Years
2002--2010
1996--2006
Displacement
4921 cc
1896 cc
Layout
V10
I4
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
313 hp
90 hp
Known Issues
2
3
Total Risk Cost
€4,000--€11,000
€1,150--€2,900

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."

1.9 TDI (ALH)

"The legendary ALH. 500k+ miles documented. Simple mechanical injection. Nearly unkillable. Belt-driven."

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

1.9 TDI (ALH) 3

▲ HIGH
Timing belt replacement — interference engine €250--€500 60,000 km--90,000 km
○ MINOR
Injection pump wear (very high mileage) €400--€1,200 250,000 km--∞
○ MINOR
Turbo wear at very high mileage €500--€1,200 200,000 km--∞

Models

V10 TDI 5.0 1

Touareg 7L 2003--2010

1.9 TDI (ALH) 2

Golf 1.9 TDI MK4 1997--2004 Hatchback Polo 1.9 TDI 9N 2001--2009 Hatchback
Full V10 TDI 5.0 Report Full 1.9 TDI (ALH) Report