Problems regarding the Scirocco 1.4 tsi

[dasmanual.]

If I try to buy a used Scirocco 1.4 tsi 122hp from the "horror" years 2008 - 2012, shouldn't all the common problems either be already FIXED or easily SPOTTED?
***Im talking about the manufacture problems that massively showed up in the handfull of years after the release of those Scirocco's, such as timing chain problems, piston death etc.***

Because it's been at least 12 years, if the car has had those problems that have NOT been fixed:

I should be able to easily spot if it has any big problems, by how it drives, feels and sounds during the test drive.

The other possibility is that it did have alot of problems in the past, but those probably have been fixed by previous owners during those 12 years.


I'm very new to cars so please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Cuprabob]

As far as I'm aware it was the 1.4 tsi twin charger (160bhp) engine that had all the problems between 2008 and 2012. I didn't think they did the 1.4 (122bhp) with just the turbo until later on and I've not heard any horror stories about that engine.

[dasmanual.]

As far as I'm aware it was the 1.4 tsi twin charger (160bhp) engine that had all the problems between 2008 and 2012. I didn't think they did the 1.4 (122bhp) with just the turbo until later on and I've not heard any horror stories about that engine.

I definetly recall seeing issues about the timing chain even on the 122hp. Also some stuff about oil consumption.

[Cuprabob]

As far as I'm aware it was the 1.4 tsi twin charger (160bhp) engine that had all the problems between 2008 and 2012. I didn't think they did the 1.4 (122bhp) with just the turbo until later on and I've not heard any horror stories about that engine.

I definetly recall seeing issues about the timing chain even on the 122hp. Also some stuff about oil consumption.

I've not read anything regarding these issues on the 1.4 (122bhp). I have with the 2.0 TSI (EA888) which suffered cam chain tensioner failure in the early days and oil consumption was one of the issues with the 1.4 twincharger (160bhp).
Although this forum is not as active as it once was you could do a search as most of the common issues have been discussed on here at one time or a other.

[dasmanual.]

As far as I'm aware it was the 1.4 tsi twin charger (160bhp) engine that had all the problems between 2008 and 2012. I didn't think they did the 1.4 (122bhp) with just the turbo until later on and I've not heard any horror stories about that engine.

I definetly recall seeing issues about the timing chain even on the 122hp. Also some stuff about oil consumption.

I've not read anything regarding these issues on the 1.4 (122bhp). I have with the 2.0 TSI (EA888) which suffered cam chain tensioner failure in the early days and oil consumption was one of the issues with the 1.4 twincharger (160bhp).
Although this forum is not as active as it once was you could do a search as most of the common issues have been discussed on here at one time or a other.

On other forums and on YouTube people talked about the transition from the 1.4 tsi EA111 engine to the EA211 engine. Where it went from a timing chain to a timing belt, becasue the chains caused too many problems. This transition happened somewhere in 2011/2012. I thought this also applied to the Scirocco...

[Cuprabob]

I definetly recall seeing issues about the timing chain even on the 122hp. Also some stuff about oil consumption.

I've not read anything regarding these issues on the 1.4 (122bhp). I have with the 2.0 TSI (EA888) which suffered cam chain tensioner failure in the early days and oil consumption was one of the issues with the 1.4 twincharger (160bhp).
Although this forum is not as active as it once was you could do a search as most of the common issues have been discussed on here at one time or a other.

On other forums and on YouTube people talked about the transition from the 1.4 tsi EA111 engine to the EA211 engine. Where it went from a timing chain to a timing belt, becasue the chains caused too many problems. This transition happened somewhere in 2011/2012. I thought this also applied to the Scirocco...

I don't think the EA211 belt driven engine appeared in the Scirocco until the face-lift in 2014.

[bigkris06]

In my opinion which may not be the same as others is The problem with these horror stories is how often people post issues.
It’s like the BMW N47 engine, everyone complains about the timing chains and how bad they are and BMW should be doing recalls etc. yes certain cars have issues but just have a look at some of them that have done 200k+ miles on them.
The same can be said for the 1.4 roc.
There are plenty of high milers out there that have gone to the moon and back with no problems and others with next to no miles that have had more than their fair share, the trouble with forums is most people only post their problems when they have them… people rarely post when things are going well.
As with any used car, do you due diligence, check for service history, mot history and signs of accidents etc. Cars that have been well looked after will generally be more reliable (although obviously this is not guaranteed)
That’s not to say that cars with no history will be any worse but it’s a good place to start.
A lot of the 1.4s have been owned by younger drivers who tend to drive them a little harder (or a lot harder as don’t want to stereotype ) so will clearly have had a harder life.
Also the cars that have been mapped up may also be an indication of a harder life but again there are some people who love their cars and treat them really well but this can usually be seen by the condition.
What you also need to bear in mind is that the average life of a car is 13 years so the model in question is in reality coming to the end of its working life so repair bills are to be expected more on this age of car than something a lot newer.
There is a lot of choice out there, you’d most definitely be better off taking your time, spending on a car that has been well maintained, by checking the service history, looking at past MOT’s and lying particular attention to the condition than trying to save a couple of hundred pounds on one that needs work.
When checking the service history, make sure there is receipts that coincide with stamps etc as anyone can buy a stamp and stamp the book. Although not fool proof it does help.
Hope this helps
May I ask if there is a particular reason why you are going for the 1.4?

[dasmanual.]

In my opinion which may not be the same as others is The problem with these horror stories is how often people post issues.
It’s like the BMW N47 engine, everyone complains about the timing chains and how bad they are and BMW should be doing recalls etc. yes certain cars have issues but just have a look at some of them that have done 200k+ miles on them.
The same can be said for the 1.4 roc.
There are plenty of high milers out there that have gone to the moon and back with no problems and others with next to no miles that have had more than their fair share, the trouble with forums is most people only post their problems when they have them… people rarely post when things are going well.
As with any used car, do you due diligence, check for service history, mot history and signs of accidents etc. Cars that have been well looked after will generally be more reliable (although obviously this is not guaranteed)
That’s not to say that cars with no history will be any worse but it’s a good place to start.
A lot of the 1.4s have been owned by younger drivers who tend to drive them a little harder (or a lot harder as don’t want to stereotype ) so will clearly have had a harder life.
Also the cars that have been mapped up may also be an indication of a harder life but again there are some people who love their cars and treat them really well but this can usually be seen by the condition.
What you also need to bear in mind is that the average life of a car is 13 years so the model in question is in reality coming to the end of its working life so repair bills are to be expected more on this age of car than something a lot newer.
There is a lot of choice out there, you’d most definitely be better off taking your time, spending on a car that has been well maintained, by checking the service history, looking at past MOT’s and lying particular attention to the condition than trying to save a couple of hundred pounds on one that needs work.
When checking the service history, make sure there is receipts that coincide with stamps etc as anyone can buy a stamp and stamp the book. Although not fool proof it does help.
Hope this helps
May I ask if there is a particular reason why you are going for the 1.4?

Thank you for your input. I certainly agree with your point about that negative stories get put on forums, positives don't.

Also, 13 years is alot, but I am looking for low mileage (100.000 - 125.000km). Would it be a better idea to look for let's say a 2012 Scirocco but with 175.000?

To answer your question: I'm 21 and live in the Netherlands. Insurance for cars above 150hp is most of the time not accepted with my age, or extremely expensive. I also want good fuel economy. I can already hear you ask "Why get a Scirocco then?" Because they're gorgeous! And theyre not as standard as a Golf (which was my first choice).

[dasmanual.]

I've not read anything regarding these issues on the 1.4 (122bhp). I have with the 2.0 TSI (EA888) which suffered cam chain tensioner failure in the early days and oil consumption was one of the issues with the 1.4 twincharger (160bhp).
Although this forum is not as active as it once was you could do a search as most of the common issues have been discussed on here at one time or a other.

On other forums and on YouTube people talked about the transition from the 1.4 tsi EA111 engine to the EA211 engine. Where it went from a timing chain to a timing belt, becasue the chains caused too many problems. This transition happened somewhere in 2011/2012. I thought this also applied to the Scirocco...

I don't think the EA211 belt driven engine appeared in the Scirocco until the face-lift in 2014.

I might be wrong about the year then, but my research points to the EA111 having more timing/cam issues than its successor.

Thank you for your input btw, really appreciate it mate.

[dasmanual.]

In my opinion which may not be the same as others is The problem with these horror stories is how often people post issues.
It’s like the BMW N47 engine, everyone complains about the timing chains and how bad they are and BMW should be doing recalls etc. yes certain cars have issues but just have a look at some of them that have done 200k+ miles on them.
The same can be said for the 1.4 roc.
There are plenty of high milers out there that have gone to the moon and back with no problems and others with next to no miles that have had more than their fair share, the trouble with forums is most people only post their problems when they have them… people rarely post when things are going well.
As with any used car, do you due diligence, check for service history, mot history and signs of accidents etc. Cars that have been well looked after will generally be more reliable (although obviously this is not guaranteed)
That’s not to say that cars with no history will be any worse but it’s a good place to start.
A lot of the 1.4s have been owned by younger drivers who tend to drive them a little harder (or a lot harder as don’t want to stereotype ) so will clearly have had a harder life.
Also the cars that have been mapped up may also be an indication of a harder life but again there are some people who love their cars and treat them really well but this can usually be seen by the condition.
What you also need to bear in mind is that the average life of a car is 13 years so the model in question is in reality coming to the end of its working life so repair bills are to be expected more on this age of car than something a lot newer.
There is a lot of choice out there, you’d most definitely be better off taking your time, spending on a car that has been well maintained, by checking the service history, looking at past MOT’s and lying particular attention to the condition than trying to save a couple of hundred pounds on one that needs work.
When checking the service history, make sure there is receipts that coincide with stamps etc as anyone can buy a stamp and stamp the book. Although not fool proof it does help.
Hope this helps
May I ask if there is a particular reason why you are going for the 1.4?

Btw I also dont drive enough to make a TDI worth my money as the tax on a diesel here is insane :/

[bigkris06]

175000km in miles is just over the 108000 mark which is by no means high for a modern engine of its age but as mentioned above condition and service history is very important.
Obviously if budgets allow get the newest, lowest mileage one you can.
As for the looks over a golf… never a truer word said! I have been after a Roc for years but was only able to get one recently as have always had to have “sensible family cars” for the kids… now they’ve grown up I have mine! They are one of the most beautiful cars on the road (in my price range anyway)
Don’t totally dismiss the tdi version though.. there is the 140bhp blue motion model which is pretty reliable and you may be able to offset the tax for MPG figures as the 2.0TDi has an average of 62.8mpg whereas the 1.4 petrol only does an average of 44.8 (manufacturer quoted combined) just make sure you give it a weekly blast on the motor way to keep the DPF clear.
Good luck on hopefully getting your hands on a nice new Roc

[dasmanual.]

175000km in miles is just over the 108000 mark which is by no means high for a modern engine of its age but as mentioned above condition and service history is very important.
Obviously if budgets allow get the newest, lowest mileage one you can.
As for the looks over a golf… never a truer word said! I have been after a Roc for years but was only able to get one recently as have always had to have “sensible family cars” for the kids… now they’ve grown up I have mine! They are one of the most beautiful cars on the road (in my price range anyway)
Don’t totally dismiss the tdi version though.. there is the 140bhp blue motion model which is pretty reliable and you may be able to offset the tax for MPG figures as the 2.0TDi has an average of 62.8mpg whereas the 1.4 petrol only does an average of 44.8 (manufacturer quoted combined) just make sure you give it a weekly blast on the motor way to keep the DPF clear.
Good luck on hopefully getting your hands on a nice new Roc

I might just go with a 2009 110.000km/70.000 miles that i found for 7.5k euros. Im mentally ready to spend a few k's on repairs if needed, so unless the whole engine needs to be revised, ill be good.

Very nice! Is your scirocco your daily driver now? And do you have a picture of it?

The thing is, for a diesel car the monthly tax is about an extra 100$. The amount of money I will save on gas does not make up for it, plus, Dutch government and specifically Amsterdam is trying to get rid of diesel cars asap. Petrol will be alive a little longer over here. Otherwise I wouldve definetly chosen for a diesel sciroc.
Btw, is that advice you gave about keeping the DPF clear only relevant for diesels? I can remember reading somewhere you should 'blast' your car (wether its a diesel or not) with high revs every once in a while...

[bigkris06]

Dpf (Diesel particulate filter) is only on diesels, newer petrols have a Ppf (petrol particulate filter) but on the age you are looking at in won’t be an issue.
It’s a good idea to drive a car on a run (not necessarily blasting) just to keep everything running smoothly.
That’s a lot of money to tax a diesel but I suppose most people are trying to get rid of them due to the emissions.
No pics of mine yet but I will be posting them soon

[percy_tc]

There is nothing wrong with 1.4 tsi, if it had a good care. Unfortunatelly owners think its a sport car and that is what cause issue.

Chain tensioner does not have fixing clip, thats the only real annyoying thing which cause 1-2 sec of chain sound upon cold start.

However it wont skip tooth, if the chain is good enough. unfortunatelly i experienced it:

I run 1.4 tsi for about 15 minutes without ANY oil to the tensioner becasue Engine repair shop put a wrong crankshaft bearing, which has only one hole in it, this is why tensioner did not get oil ( rest of the engines get it).

Funny thing that above 2000 rpm, there was no chain sound at all, and timing chain does not skip.

Dont leave gearbox in speed when parking (especially on hills) to avoid unecessary chain stress.