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1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 TCe / SCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 TCe / SCe carries less risk than the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI: 41/100 (moderate 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 1.0 TCe / SCe has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «LPG (ECO-G) system faults and tank recall».

Risk index

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

84

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.0 TCe / SCe

41

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

23 sourcesHow 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 1.0 TCe / SCe reliable?

The 1.0 TCe/SCe (H4D/H4Dt) is a simply designed three-cylinder with reasonable reliability. Its most-cited fault is a noise or vibration from the turbo wastegate; the ECO-G (LPG) version adds its own gas-management faults and a 2023 recall over a risk of leaks and fire from the tank. An isolated case of a failed high-pressure pump is also documented, and no oil consumption pattern.[6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 1.0 TCe / SCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 and 1.4 TSI and 1.0 TCe / SCe
1.2 and 1.4 TSI1.0 TCe / SCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—999 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power85–185 hp65–117 hp
Productionsince 2006[9][10][11][12][13]since 2019[14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)84Very high risk41Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)
  2. Critical severity: Piston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twincharger
  3. Medium severity: Water pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)
  1. Critical severity: LPG (ECO-G) system faults and tank recall
  2. Medium severity: Metallic noise or vibration from the turbo wastegate
  3. Medium severity: Failed high-pressure fuel pump (isolated case)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,400Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)Published figure[16][17]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)[3][18]
  • 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)[3][5]
  • 1.0 SCe 65/75 (H4D, 2019-present)[6][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)[2][20]
  • 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][21]
  • 1.0 TCe 90/100 (H4Dt, 2019-present)[6][19]
  • 1.0 TCe 110 (H4Dt, 2021-present)[22]
  • 1.0 ECO-G 100 (H4Dt + LPG, 2020-present)[6][7][22]
  • 1.0 DIG-T / IG-T 100-117 (HR10DDT, Nissan, 2017-present)[8]
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)[2][4][23]
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 31 models with the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

1.0 TCe / SCe

See the 7 models with the 1.0 TCe / SCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

With the 1.0 TCe / SCe

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. 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
  2. Probleme und Schwachstellen beim 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI (EA111)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 1 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen CAVD 1.4 Litre TSI Engine ProblemsGrant Walker (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 28 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  5. VW Golf 7: Probleme, Mängel & Schwachstellencarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Dacia et Renault – nouveau rappel : fuite du réservoir GPL, risque d'incendie !Motorsactu · Motoring press · published 12 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Juke 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. 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
  10. Volkswagen EA111 engine (1.2 TSI/TFSI)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Audi A1Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. International Driving Presentation of the new Polo BlueGTVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 2 July 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Nissan JukeWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Coste de cambiar la cadena de distribución: guía VW Audi TSISkanyx · Other source · published 25 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Problemas en la cadena de distribución: casos y costeGT Autos (Málaga) · Other source · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. VW: Austritt von Motoröl möglichautoservicepraxis.de · Motoring press · published 16 August 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  19. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia JoggerFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Bulletin – Volkswagen 1.4 Piston FailureSouthside Cylinder Heads (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 6 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026