2.0 TSI / TFSI vs 1.6 THP: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 54/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption»; the 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)».

Risk index

2.0 TSI / TFSI

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 THP

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202616 sources How we work

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.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI faults

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.^[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TSI / TFSI and 1.6 THP
Item	2.0 TSI / TFSI	1.6 THP
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,984 cm³	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	170–320 hp	120–270 hp
Production	since 2008^[1][10]	2006–2018^[6][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	64High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: High oil consumption Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Most expensive documented repair	up to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure^[13]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)^[1][5][14]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)^{[2][3][14][15]} 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)^[2][3][14]	1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)^[9] 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)^[7][8][16] 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)^[7][8][9]
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

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 43 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

With the 1.6 THP

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Sources

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

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
Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
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
Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026