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1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI carries less risk than the 1.4 and 1.6 16v: 23/100 (low risk) versus 45/100 (moderate risk). The 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI has no documented serious faults; the 1.4 and 1.6 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt breakage or premature failure».

Risk index

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 16v

45

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

24 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI reliable?

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI has a reputation for being robust and has no systematic serious faults. The 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo suffered cold-start jerking at low speed, which Volkswagen corrected with software between 2019 and 2020; later units and the 2022 evo2 are more mature. Watch for coolant leaks and check the 2019 and 2020 recalls.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI faults

Is the 1.4 and 1.6 16v reliable?

The K4J (1.4) and K4M (1.6), both naturally aspirated 16-valve units, are simple and generally reliable petrol engines: no source consulted documents oil consumption or faults that destroy the block. Their most-cited weak point is the ignition coils, followed by the crankshaft sensor and, on versions with a variable valve timing unit, its pulley; a neglected belt can cause serious damage, as one case in the Renault Laguna II documents.[6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and 1.4 and 1.6 16v
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI1.4 and 1.6 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power82–150 hp75–135 hp
Productionsince 2014[10][11][12][13][14]since 1998[15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module
  2. Low severity: Cold jerking at low speed ("kangaroo effect") on the 1.5 TSI evo
  3. Medium severity: Lack of torque on starting in the manual 150 hp 1.5 TSI (2019 recall)
  1. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
  2. High severity: Timing belt breakage or premature failure
  3. Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)[1][2][5]
  • 1.0 TSI / 1.0 eTSI evo (DLAA, DLAB; 2020 onwards)[1][12]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo 114/130/150 hp (DPCA, DPBC; built from 2020)[1][18]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo2 116/150 hp (DXDB, DNKA; 2022 onwards)[1][19]
  • 1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020)[9][20]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)[1][3][4]
  • 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012)[21][22]
  • 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020)[8][23][24]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

See the 42 models with the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

1.4 and 1.6 16v

See the 13 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

With the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. ¿Tu motor 1.5 TSI de Volkswagen sufre de tirones en frío? Llegan novedadesMotor.es · Motoring press · published 5 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW, Seat und Skoda: Rückruf wegen Motorsoftware-Updatekfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 30 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Laguna 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. VW EA211 evoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litresVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 8 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. Golf eTSI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE – International Media Drive (dossier de prensa)Volkswagen AG · Manufacturer · published August 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Prueba de consumo (251): VW Golf Evo 1.5-TSI ACT 150 CV DSG Sport R-Line 5pkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Moteur K RenaultWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Efecto canguro, el problema de los tirones en frío de los motores 1.5 TSI del Grupo VolkswagenSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  21. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French