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1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI vs 1.0 MPI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 MPI carries less risk than the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI: 19/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI has no documented serious faults; the 1.0 MPI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

1.0 MPI

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

21 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 1.0 MPI reliable?

The 1.0 MPI is a simple, low-powered (60-75 hp) naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with no serious or systemic faults documented. Its most frequently cited issues are above-normal oil consumption -- especially in the Seat Ibiza V -- and, more occasionally, a cooling system fault with the engine light and vibrations. The timing belt has no fixed replacement interval and shows no failure pattern.[6][7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.0 MPI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and 1.0 MPI
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI1.0 MPI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—999 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power82–150 hp60–75 hp
Productionsince 2014[10][11][12][13][14]since 2011[10][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk19Low risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityMedium 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: Cooling system fault with engine light and vibrations
  2. Low severity: Higher-than-normal oil consumption (most cited on the Seat Ibiza V)
  3. Low severity: Timing belt with no fixed replacement interval
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]
  • 1.0 MPI 60/75 (CHYA/CHYB, 2011-2023)[6][8][20][21]
  • 1.0 MPI 65/75 (CHYC/CPGA, 2017-)[7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)[1][3][4]
None
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

1.0 MPI

See the 7 models with the 1.0 MPI

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

With the 1.0 MPI

Compare other engines

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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 Volkswagen UpFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat Ibiza (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda CitigoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. VW Up: Beliebtes Stadtauto im GebrauchtwagencheckGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 March 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  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. Škoda FabiaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. VW Polo VWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. VW Polo VIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  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 de la Seat MiiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  21. Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda Fabia 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French