Volkswagen 1.2 12V (EA111)Ignition coils and spark plugs
Ignition coil failure on the 1.2 12V
Why this rating?
Low severity: A nuisance or wear. It does not immobilise the car or damage other parts.
Frequency common: It is the single most repeated fault in the reports analysed by fiches-auto.fr: 10 of 35 for the Volkswagen Polo IV and 7 of 11 for the Seat Ibiza 6L. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de confirms that the ignition coils are a typical weak point of the Polo IV. Despite the small size of some samples, the match across two cars from different brands and the confirmation from an independent source lead us to classify it as common; it is not a serious fault (the part is cheap and simple to replace), so it does not affect the engine's severity rating.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on, the most common way for a coil fault to show itself.[1]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Misfires and hesitation when accelerating when a coil fails intermittently.[2]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
Affected cars and years
Documented on the Volkswagen Polo IV and the Seat Ibiza 6L; it is also mentioned as a possible fault on the Škoda Fabia I, although without detailed reports.[1][2][4]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 54/60 hp (AWY, BMD, BBM, 2001-2014) | 2001–2014 | AWYBMDBBM |
| 1.2 64/70 hp (BME, CGPA, 2002-2014) | 2002–2014 | BMECGPA |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Seat
- Seat Ibiza III2002–2008
- Seat Ibiza IV2008–2014
- Seat Córdoba II2003–2008
Škoda
- Škoda Fabia I2001–2007
- Škoda Fabia II2007–2014
- Škoda Roomster2006–2007
Volkswagen
- Volkswagen Polo IV2001–2009
- Volkswagen Polo V2009–2014
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis and replacement of the affected ignition coil.[1]
We have not found a published quote in Spain for this repair on this particular engine.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- During the test drive, check that the engine has no hesitation or misfires, especially at idle or when cold.
- Ask whether any ignition coil has been replaced and how often.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Ignition coil
Replaced when it stops producing the spark properly on one of the cylinders, causing misfires.
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Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Is an ignition coil failure serious?
Not especially: the part is cheap and simple to replace; the problem is that it can fail more than once over the life of the car.[2]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.2 12V faults
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearThe 1.2 12V timing chain can slacken and the tensioner lose effectiveness with wear; if it is not detected in time, the engine can lose compression, throw the timing out or suffer valve-to-piston contact that destroys it. It is the most cited fault of this engine, across several cars and brands.Appears at around 87,000 km
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockCylinder head and valve damage from exhaust gas backflow (Volkswagen Polo IV)On the Volkswagen Polo IV, the catalytic converter is very close to the cylinder head; when you lift off the accelerator, exhaust gases can flow back towards the engine and damage or burn the cylinder head and exhaust valves. It is a documented design fault, not ordinary wear.Appears at around 24,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationHigher-than-normal oil consumptionThe 1.2 12V can consume more oil than normal in some cases, documented occasionally on the Volkswagen Polo IV and the Škoda Fabia I. It is not the engine's most cited fault, but it is worth watching the level between services.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalOtherVibration from worn engine mountsThe 1.2 12V is a three-cylinder engine with a background vibration inherent to this design; on top of that, in some documented cases, premature wear of the engine mounts increases the vibration felt in the cabin.
More faults with the ignition coils on other engines and cars
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.4 and 1.6 16vIgnition coil failureThe individual ignition coils are the most-cited fault of the K4J/K4M in the European Renault versions: they fail frequently and cause jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on. It is a cheap electrical part to replace, not internal engine damage.Appears at around 30,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 PureTechSpark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turboOn the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech/e-THP turbo the original spark plugs can break; if a fragment falls into the cylinder it can damage the engine. Autojournal cites a 2015 recall to replace them on the 308 II.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N43/N46Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43)On the direct-injection BMW N43, failures of the injectors, ignition coils (mainly in 2007-2008 units, now rare after a BMW service action) and the NOx sensor of its lean-burn combustion have been documented. The indirect-injection N46 does not have that sensor and does not suffer these failures.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N54/N55Oil in the spark plug wells from the rocker cover gasketOn the N54 and N55 the rocker cover gasket hardens with age and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells. Guides treat it as a known fault: it smells of burnt oil and can damage spark plugs and coils.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.0/1.2/1.4 EcotecIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils on this engine fail fairly often in the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Adam, causing jerking, the engine warning light and, in the clearest cases, the engine running on one cylinder fewer; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil.Repair (garage): €150–€480Appears at around 15,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 TurboIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils of the 1.4 Turbo fail fairly often on the Mokka and Meriva B, with jerking, occasional loss of power and the engine warning light on; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil or coils.Repair (garage): €400–€600Appears at around 47,000 km
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Volkswagen Polo 4Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat Ibiza (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- VW Polo 4 (9N): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda FabiaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French