Is the new Volkswagen 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine ok?

Are the new Volkswagen 1.6-litre diesel engines as good for long distance mileage as the old 1.9 version was?

Thomas Gahan (Wexford)

Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

---

Expert answer

Hi Thomas,

Yes, in fact they're much better because they're smoother (thanks to direct fuel injection instead of the old Pump Düse system) and have much more sophisticated electronics to monitor their health. They don't seem to suffer from the old air mass sensor issues that plagued the 1.9 either. It's also a much more economical engine - figure on getting high-fifties mpg, rather than the high-forties of the old engine.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe