Carsieve At a glance
- What it is: VW's EA111 petrol engines, the 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI, built about 2005 to 2015. Engine codes in the CBZ, CAX, CAV, CTH, BLG and BMY families.
- Main faults: a worn timing chain (the chain that drives the camshafts), and oil use on the 1.4 TSI twincharger (a turbo plus an engine-driven supercharger).
- Tell it apart: EA111 has a timing chain. The later EA211 has a timing belt (a rubber belt doing the same job). The start years overlap, so read the engine code and check whether the engine has a chain or a belt.
- Reliability: 2/5. The chain and the twincharger parts fail often. VW's goodwill (a repair promise by the maker, not a recall) has been limited since 2018.
- DIY: 1/5. A chain job means partly stripping the engine.
- Prefer: a car with a dated chain invoice and a clean oil check. Avoid: a car with a cold-start rattle and no chain record, or one that needs oil top-ups every 1,000 to 2,000 km.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Mileage | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing chain stretch and jump | 1.4 TSI and 1.2 TSI chain engines (the 1.2 TSI has fewer reports, built 2009 to 2012) | 40,000 to 100,000 km; worst cases 30,000 to 40,000 km | 686 to 1,090 EUR (Germany, 2026) |
| Piston rings and oil use | 1.4 TSI twincharger, mostly CAVD built 2008 to 2011 | 50,000 to 60,000 km (one site says 100,000 to 150,000 km) | No price found |
| Supercharger compressor clutch | 1.4 TSI twincharger, mostly 2010 and 2011 builds | Not stated | No price found |
| Turbo wastegate and actuator | 1.4 TSI with turbo | Not stated | No price found |
| Water pump and coolant leaks | 1.2 and 1.4 TSI | From about 120,000 km | No price found |
Before you buy
- Cold-start rattle. A few seconds of metallic rattle on a cold start is the usual sign of a worn chain. Ask whether the chain and tensioner (the part that keeps the chain tight) were replaced, and ask for the dated invoice with the mileage. If not, budget 686 to 1,090 EUR in Germany.
- Chain stretch reading. Ask a workshop to read the chain stretch values with a diagnostic tester (a computer tool that reads the car's systems).
- Oil level and top-ups. Check the dipstick. Top-ups every 1,000 to 2,000 km, blue smoke from the exhaust (a sign of burning oil), or rough idle (uneven running at standstill) point to ring or piston work. Ask for the price and the oil-use history.
- Compressor noise. Listen for a whistle or click as the supercharger engages. Ask for proof of any compressor clutch work on a 2010 or 2011 twincharger.
- Turbo warnings. A check engine light, or a loss of boost (the turbo's extra air pressure), points to the wastegate or actuator. Read the fault codes with a scanner.
- Coolant and water pump. Look for coolant leaks and wet stains around the pump. Overheating and leaks are the symptoms. Ask whether the water pump was ever replaced.
Models with this engine
| Brand | Model | Generation | Production years | Power | Engine codes | ADAC versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | A1 | 8X | 2010–2014 | 86–185 PS (63–136 kW) | CAX, CBZ, CTH | 16 |
| Audi | A3 | 8P facelift | 2007–2008 | 125 PS (92 kW) | CAX | 12 |
| Audi | A3 | 8P facelift 2 | 2008–2013 | 105–125 PS (77–92 kW) | CAX, CBZ | 55 |
| SEAT | Altea | 5P | 2008–2009 | 125 PS (92 kW) | CAX | 10 |
| SEAT | Altea | 5P facelift | 2009–2015 | 105–125 PS (77–92 kW) | CAX, CBZ | 36 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6J | 2010–2012 | 105 PS (77 kW) | CBZ | 27 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6J facelift | 2012–2015 | 105 PS (77 kW) | CBZ | 55 |
| SEAT | Leon | 1P facelift | 2010–2012 | 105 PS (77 kW) | CBZ | 7 |
| Skoda | Fabia | 2. Generation facelift | 2010–2014 | 86–180 PS (63–132 kW) | CBZ, CTH | 97 |
| Skoda | Octavia | 2. Generation facelift | 2009–2013 | 105–122 PS (77–90 kW) | CAX, CBZ | 75 |
| Skoda | Rapid | 2. Generation | 2012–2015 | 86–122 PS (63–90 kW) | CAX, CBZ | 72 |
| Skoda | Roomster | 1. Generation facelift | 2010–2015 | 86–105 PS (63–77 kW) | CBZ | 53 |
| Skoda | Yeti | 1. Generation | 2009–2013 | 105–122 PS (77–90 kW) | CAX, CBZ | 46 |
| Skoda | Yeti | 1. Generation facelift | 2013–2015 | 105–122 PS (77–90 kW) | CAX, CBZ | 36 |
| VW | Beetle | 2. Generation | 2011–2014 | 160 PS (118 kW) | CTH | 40 |
| VW | Eos | 1. Generation | 2007–2010 | 122–160 PS (90–118 kW) | CAX, CTH | 18 |
| VW | Eos | 1. Generation facelift | 2010–2015 | 122–160 PS (90–118 kW) | CAX, CTH | 9 |
| VW | Golf | V | 2005–2009 | 122–170 PS (90–125 kW) | BLG, BMY, CAV, CAX, CTH | 125 |
| VW | Golf | VI | 2008–2015 | 85–160 PS (63–118 kW) | CAX, CBZ, CTH | 202 |
| VW | Passat | B6 | 2007–2010 | 122 PS (90 kW) | CAX | 48 |
| VW | Passat | B7 | 2010–2014 | 122–160 PS (90–118 kW) | CAX, CTH | 40 |
| VW | Polo | V | 2009–2014 | 105–180 PS (77–132 kW) | CBZ, CTH | 54 |
| VW | Scirocco | III | 2008–2014 | 160 PS (118 kW) | CTH | 14 |
| VW | Tiguan | I | 2007–2011 | 122–150 PS (90–110 kW) | CAX, CTH | 12 |
| VW | Tiguan | I facelift | 2011–2015 | 122–160 PS (90–118 kW) | CAX, CTH | 32 |
| VW | Touran | I | 2006 | 140 PS (103 kW) | CTH | 4 |
| VW | Touran | I facelift | 2006–2010 | 140–170 PS (103–125 kW) | CTH | 28 |
| VW | Touran | I facelift 2 | 2010–2015 | 105–170 PS (77–125 kW) | CBZ, CTH | 31 |
| VW Nutzfahrzeuge | Caddy | III facelift | 2010–2015 | 86–105 PS (63–77 kW) | CBZ | 57 |
In detail
Timing chain stretch and jump
Symptoms. A metallic rattle for a few seconds on cold start. A worn chain stretches and can jump teeth. A jump changes the valve timing and can let the pistons hit the valves.
Cause. The chain stretches with wear. VW's workshop information TPI 2040174/29 describes wear-related stretch and a possible jump. The tensioner is named as weak in several sources. In 2012 VW blamed a supplier's manufacturing tools; one source doubts this.
Which cars. VW Golf VI (most cited), Audi A1 and A3, and SEAT Ibiza and Leon. Typical failure is between 40,000 and 100,000 km. Worst cases are 30,000 to 40,000 km.
Fix. A new chain and tensioner. The engine is partly stripped to reach the chain. One garage also replaces the oil pump chain in the same job.
Cost. Germany, 2026: a chain replacement from 686 EUR (Golf VI) to 1,090 EUR (Scirocco 1.4 TSI, 118 kW). The price guide was reviewed on 11 August 2026 and includes VAT.
Sources: AUTO BILD on the VW chain goodwill, fairgarage chain price guide, Autohled reliability review, Za Rulem on the 1.4 TSI
Piston rings and oil use
Symptoms. The engine burns oil and needs top-ups every 1,000 to 2,000 km. Broken piston ring lands (the thin metal walls between the ring grooves) cause serious damage.
Cause. Not confirmed in the sources.
Which cars. The 1.4 TSI twincharger, mostly the CAVD built 2008 to 2011.
Mileage. Serious damage from about 50,000 to 60,000 km in these reports. One engine-code site gives 100,000 to 150,000 km instead.
Fix. A major overhaul with new pistons, named in one source.
Cost. No price found.
Sources: Autohled reliability review, gebrauchtwagenberater.de on TSI problems, Za Rulem on the 1.4 TSI, OnlyRevo on the 1.4 TSI twincharger
Supercharger compressor clutch
Symptoms. A whistle or click when the supercharger (the engine-driven compressor) engages, on 2010 and 2011 twincharger cars. The clutch, which switches the supercharger on and off, can fail early.
Cause. Not stated in the sources.
Which cars. The 1.4 TSI twincharger, mostly 2010 and 2011 builds.
Fix. Not stated in the sources.
Cost. No price found.
Sources: Autohled reliability review, gebrauchtwagenberater.de on TSI problems
Turbo wastegate and actuator
Symptoms. A check engine light, and a loss of boost (the turbo's extra air pressure). Boost drops when the actuator fails.
Cause. The wastegate (the valve that limits boost) wears and collects carbon deposits.
Which cars. The 1.4 TSI with turbo.
Fix. The actuator (the part that moves the wastegate) is the part most often named as failing. Repairs named: replacing the actuator, or work on the wastegate itself.
Cost. No price found.
Sources: Za Rulem on the 1.4 TSI, Auto.ru on the VW Jetta, mymotorlist on the BMY engine
Water pump and coolant leaks
Symptoms. Overheating and coolant leaks around the pump. Failure is reported from about 120,000 km.
Cause. Not stated in the sources. In one 2011 Golf 6 1.4 TSI CAVD, the pump failed, coolant flow dropped and the engine overheated.
Fix and cost. No price or fix detail for the EA111 pump found in the sources.
Sources: Auto.ru on the VW Golf VI, TaT repair data, Golf 6 1.4 TSI CAVD
Recalls
Goodwill is a repair promise by the maker, not a recall: in 2012 VW promised at least half of parts and labour for all EA111 TSI engines with no mileage limit.
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | No code (goodwill, not a recall) | 2012 promise, limited from 2018 | At least 50 percent of parts and labour promised, no mileage limit, cars older than six years included |
No recall was found for these parts.
Maintenance
- Fuel. Use 95 octane (the fuel grade) at least. The sources name 95 as the minimum.
- Timing chain. No change interval is given in the sources. Keep the invoice for every chain job.
- Water pump. Check for leaks and the coolant level from about 120,000 km.
- Oil. Check the level between services. Top-ups every 1,000 to 2,000 km are a sign of ring or piston work.
Sources
English
- OnlyRevo, 1.4 TSI twincharger known issues
- TaT repair data, Golf 6 1.4 TSI CAVD
- mymotorlist, VW BMY engine
German
- AUTO BILD, VW chain goodwill (2018)
- Autohled, TSI reliability review (2026)
- fairgarage, VW chain replacement cost (2026)
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de, EA111 problems