Volkswagen 1.2 12V (EA111)Oil consumption
Higher-than-normal oil consumption on the 1.2 12V
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: Fiches-auto.fr records a case of consumption of 1.5 litres every 1,000 km on the Volkswagen Polo IV (1 of 35 reports) and mentions oil consumption among the problems of the Škoda Fabia I (8 reports in total for this engine, with no exact percentage for this symptom). Gebrauchtwagenberater.de adds that the Polo IV can show high oil consumption and that a knocking noise can foreshadow piston damage. As it is mentioned on two cars but does not exceed a small minority of the cases analysed, we classify it as occasional.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
- Need to top up oil between services more than usual.[1]Uses oil: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
The sources do not always detail the exact origin; Gebrauchtwagenberater.de associates an engine knocking noise with possible piston wear as the cause of the high consumption.[3]
If it is not repaired: Unmonitored oil consumption can leave the engine with a low level and speed up its wear; the sources consulted do not document cases of major damage from this cause on this particular engine.[3]
Affected cars and years
Documented occasionally on the Volkswagen Polo IV and the Škoda Fabia I; it does not appear in the sources consulted for the other cars with this engine.[1][2]
| 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 of the consumption (compression, piston rings, valve stem seals) and, where appropriate, the necessary repair.[3]
We have not found a published quote in Spain for this diagnosis 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
- Check the oil level and ask for the maintenance history to see whether oil has had to be topped up between changes.
- Start the engine from cold and listen for a knocking noise, which can foreshadow piston wear.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Piston rings / valve stem seals
Checked or replaced if they are the source of the oil consumption.
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How to prevent it
- Check the oil level regularly between changes, especially before a long journey.
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
Does the 1.2 12V use a lot of oil?
It is not the most cited problem of this engine; the documented cases are isolated, on the Volkswagen Polo IV and the Škoda Fabia I.[1][2]
What can cause it?
Possible piston wear, which Gebrauchtwagenberater.de associates with an engine knocking noise.[3]
What should I do if my car uses oil?
Check the level frequently; if consumption stays above normal, a workshop should check the compression and the condition of the pistons.[3]
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
- Low severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failureThe 1.2 12V ignition coils fail relatively often, with misfires, hesitation and the engine light coming on. It is the engine's most cited electrical fault, documented on several cars and brands.
- 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 oil consumption on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0/2.2 D-4DWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4DYes: the 2.2-litre block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has numerous documented cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso, with repairs that sometimes require replacing the engine.Appears at around 40,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 and 1.4 TSIPiston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twinchargerThe 1.4 TSI twincharger (turbo and supercharger) built up to 2012 can crack the pistons between the rings, with oil consumption, misfires and loss of compression. Volkswagen strengthened the pistons and rings on the 2012 CTHD engines.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 TCeExcessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built from 2012 to mid-2016 can burn more than 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km because the piston rings do not seal properly; carbon damages the valves and the engine can fail. There was no recall: the dealer network reprograms and replaces rings or the engine.Repair: €5,000–€10,000
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.33 Dual VVT-iExcessive oil consumption from piston wearYes: 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE) units built before 2013 can use far more oil than normal because of a factory defect in the pistons, acknowledged by Toyota in a technical bulletin. In the most serious cases it ends in engine replacement. Toyota corrected it with revised parts from 2013.Appears at around 130,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.0 PureTechExcessive oil consumption through the piston ringsYes. Stellantis acknowledges that naturally aspirated 1.0 and 1.2 EB engines built between June 2012 and November 2016 can use excessive oil because of fouling of the piston rings; depending on consumption and mileage, its network replaces the water outlet housing or the whole engine.
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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 Skoda FabiaFiches-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