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2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v carries less risk than the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: 25/100 versus 32/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v has no documented serious faults; the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

25

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

22 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v reliable?

The 30-valve V6 engines of the Volkswagen Group (2.4, 2.8 and 3.0) have few documented faults: there are few owner reviews, and they mention coils, the thermostat and oil leaks. The most sensitive item is the timing belt, which on the 2.8 also drives the water pump: Audi and VW ask for it to be changed every 120,000 km, and the job takes 2.9 to 3.5 hours.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v faults

Is the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power136–220 hp75–120 hp
Production1996–2006[9][10][11]1991–2013[12][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults46
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Timing belt, tensioner and water pump on the 30v V6
  2. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat and water pump leaking or seized
  1. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[17]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)[5][18]
  • 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)[6][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.4 V6 30v 136-170 hp (ALW, ARN, ASM, APZ, AMM, AJG, AGA, AML, ALF, APS, ARJ, BDV; 1997-2005)[2][3]
  • 2.8 V6 30v 190-193 hp (ACK, APR, AMX, AQD, ALG, ATQ, BBG; 1996-2006)[1][3][20][21][22]
  • 3.0 V6 30v 220 hp (ASN, AVK; 2000-2005)[3][4]
  • 1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)[8]
  • 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)[5][8]
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

2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

See the 29 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Other comparisons

With the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

With the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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. Installation tips: changing timing belts. Detailed instructions for the 2.8L 30V engine in the Audi A4, A6, A8 and VW PassatContiTech (Power Transmission Group) · Technical documentation · published December 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Zahnriemenwechsel Audi » Intervalle • Kosten • WerkstättenFairGarage · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. Tous les problèmes sur Audi A6 1997 - 2004 (186 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. Tous les problèmes sur Audi A4 2001-2007 (446 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  9. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Audi A6 C5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Audi A6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen PASSAT 1996-2004 (310 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Tous les problèmes sur Skoda SUPERB 2002 - 2008 (47 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  22. 2.8 V6 30V engine reliabilityMotorsforum · Owners' forum · published April 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026