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1.2 8v Fire vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 8v Fire carries less risk than the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113: 20/100 (low risk) versus 41/100 (moderate risk). The 1.2 8v Fire has no documented serious faults; the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Wear of the high-pressure pump cam follower».

Risk index

1.2 8v Fire

20

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

41

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

14 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 8v Fire reliable?

The 1.2 8v Fire is one of Fiat's simplest and most widespread petrol engines, with more than two decades in production and no serious or systemic faults documented. The sources consulted describe it as robust: its most-cited issues are isolated sensor failures (lambda sensor, crankshaft sensor), the ignition coil and somewhat high oil consumption at higher mileages; there is no pattern of timing belt breakage.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.2 8v Fire faults

Is the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 reliable?

The 2.0 TFSI EA113 (2004-2013) is a direct-injection turbo engine with one widely cited weak point: the high-pressure pump cam follower, which should be checked or replaced as a preventive measure. With the timing belt up to date, it is considered worth buying.[7][8][9]

See the 4 of the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 8v Fire and VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
1.2 8v FireVW 2.0 TFSI EA113
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,242 cm³1,984 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power60–69 hp200–265 hp
Production1999–2020[10][11][12][13]2004–2013[8][9][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)20Low risk41Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)
  2. Low severity: Oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket
  3. Low severity: Faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)
  1. High severity: Wear of the high-pressure pump cam follower
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves from direct injection
  3. Medium severity: PCV crankcase ventilation valve and oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €900Wear of the high-pressure pump cam followerPublished figure[9]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 8v SMPI 60-65 hp (1999-2009)[1]
  • 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020)[2][3][5][6]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 2.0 TFSI 200 hp (AXX, BWA, BWE, BPY)[8][14]
  • 2.0 TFSI 230 hp (BYD, Golf GTI Edition 30)[9][14]
  • 2.0 TFSI 265 hp (BHZ, Audi S3 8P)[9][14]
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

1.2 8v Fire

See the 7 models with the 1.2 8v Fire

VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

See the 8 models with the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 8v Fire

With the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

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.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (2003-2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (depuis 2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiat Panda III (seit 2011) – Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 21 January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. 2.0 TFSI EA113 upgrade bomba de alta presión BAR-TEK (seguidor de levas)BAR-TEK · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Audi A3 8P: puntos débiles y guía de compra (Schwachstellen)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  9. 2.0 TFSI (EA113): problemas conocidosAutoscore · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  10. Fiat FIRE engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Fiat Grande PuntoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Ford KaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (2.0 TFSI EA113)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026