1.6 TDI vs 2.0 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the 2.0 TDI: 45/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 TDI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 26 September 202617 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) is one of the dieselgate engines: it needs the software update and, unlike the 2.0 TDI, an air flow stabiliser, on top of the typical EGR, particulate filter and turbo faults. The later EA288 (from 2012, 80-120 hp) is not singled out by the scandal, but it shares the need to keep an eye on the timing belt and the water pump.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 TDI faults

Is the 2.0 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2008-2015) is the dieselgate engine: it needed a software update and has a record of EGR, particulate filter, turbo and injection faults. The earlier pumpe-düse (unit injector) engine has oil pump failures, and on the EA288 and EA288 evo (from 2012) the known faults are minor: coolant leaks and the odd AdBlue tank.^{[3][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 8 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI
Item	1.6 TDI	2.0 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,968 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–120 hp	84–240 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][10]	since 2003^{[3][4][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	8
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliser High severity: Timing belt and water pump High severity: Variable-geometry turbo seized or with play	Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[13][14]	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure^[6][13][14]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][15]	2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[8] 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)^[9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)^[7][16] 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)^[2][6][17]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	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

1.6 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

2.0 TDI

See the 48 models with the 2.0 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the 2.0 TDI

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.

Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor SymposiumVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 27 April 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026