1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 TSI / TFSI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI carries less risk than the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI: 54/100 (high risk) versus 84/100 (very high risk). The 1.2 and 1.4 TSI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)»; the 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption».

Risk index

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 TSI / TFSI

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 26 September 202625 sources How we work

Is the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The chain-driven 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 engines (2006-2015) carry a recognised problem of chain stretch and tensioner failure, and the 1.4 twincharger engines from before 2012 can break pistons. The belt-driven EA211 engines (from 2012) are considerably more reliable: their typical fault is a leaking water pump.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI faults

Is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI reliable?

It depends above all on the generation. The earliest units (2008-2012, without Valvelift) have more oil consumption complaints and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear; from 2012 the Valvelift design reduced oil consumption but kept carbon build-up on the intake valves as a weak point until, around 2016, supplementary indirect injection was added. The thermostat housing with the integrated water pump leaks coolant in several generations.^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 and 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TSI / TFSI
Item	1.2 and 1.4 TSI	2.0 TSI / TFSI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,984 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	85–185 hp	170–320 hp
Production	since 2006^{[11][12][13][14][15]}	since 2008^[6][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	84Very high risk	54High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111) Critical severity: Piston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twincharger Medium severity: Water pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)	High severity: High oil consumption Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,400Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)Published figure^[17][18]	up to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure^[19]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)^[3][20] 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)^[3][5]	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)^[6][10][21]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)^[2][22] 1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)^[2][4] 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)^[2][23]	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)^{[7][8][21][24]} 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)^[7][8][21]
AvoidVersions to avoid	1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)^[2][4][25]	None

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

See the 34 models with the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 43 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

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Sources

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

VW 1.2 TSI & 1.4 TSI Steuerkette: VW kassiert Kulanz-VersprechenAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 1 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Probleme und Schwachstellen beim 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI (EA111)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 1 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Volkswagen CAVD 1.4 Litre TSI Engine ProblemsGrant Walker (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 28 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
VW Golf 7: Probleme, Mängel & Schwachstellencarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motores TFSI: características, ventajas e inconvenientesAutofácil · Motoring press · published 18 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Self-Study Programme 359: 1.4l TSI Engine with Dual-chargingVolkswagen AG (copia alojada en volkspage.net) · Manufacturer · published March 2006 · consulted 26 September 2026
Volkswagen EA111 engine (1.2 TSI/TFSI)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Audi A1Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
International Driving Presentation of the new Polo BlueGTVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 2 July 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026
Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Coste de cambiar la cadena de distribución: guía VW Audi TSISkanyx · Other source · published 25 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problemas en la cadena de distribución: casos y costeGT Autos (Málaga) · Other source · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 19 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW: Austritt von Motoröl möglichautoservicepraxis.de · Motoring press · published 16 August 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Bei älteren VW 1.2 TSi-Motoren: Gefahr einer Längung der Steuerkettefebi bilstein (blog técnico) · Technical documentation · published 28 January 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
ADAC Pannenstatistik 2019 (anexo: defectos por encima de la media por modelo)ADAC e.V. · Reliability study · published 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Bulletin – Volkswagen 1.4 Piston FailureSouthside Cylinder Heads (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 6 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026