1.2 12V engine: faults and reliability

• 1.2 54/60 hp (AWY, BMD, BBM, 2001-2014)

  2001–2014 · 54–60 hp · AWY, BMD, BBM

  With caution

  It is a simple, low-power engine with no faults of its own beyond those shared with the rest of the family (timing chain, ignition coils). The chain tensioner failure is documented on this power output too, so it is worth checking the maintenance history and listening to the engine from cold before buying.^[1][3]

• 1.2 64/70 hp (BME, CGPA, 2002-2014)

  2002–2014 · 64–70 hp · BME, CGPA

  With caution

  The timing chain tensioner failure is documented on the higher-output variant too, in several different cars, so it is worth checking the maintenance history and the engine sound from cold before buying, just as with the lower-output version.^[1][3][8][9]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1Critical 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
2. 2High 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
3. 3Medium 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.
4. 4Low 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.
5. 5Low 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.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Volkswagen

Family

EA111: bloque atmosférico de gasolina de tres cilindros con inyección indirecta multipunto (MPI), distinto del diésel 1.2 TDI (EA189, ficha propia "vw-1-2-tdi") y de los motores turbo de inyección directa 1.2/1.4 TSI (ficha propia "1-2-1-4-tsi"), con los que comparte cilindrada pero no diseño.

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

1,198 cm³

Cylinders

3

Fuel system

Naturally aspirated

Injection

Indirect injection

Timing

Chain

Power

54–70 hp

Peak torque

112 Nm

Production

2001–2014

Makes

Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda

Technical data^[1][6][7]

1. 2001–2014

   1.2 54/60 hp (AWY, BMD, BBM, 2001-2014)

   Low-power entry-level engine, launched in November 2001 with the Volkswagen Polo IV in two calibrations of 40 kW/54 hp (codes AWY and BMD); in May 2007 a 44 kW/60 hp recalibration (BBM) was added. Under the commercial designation "1.2 60 hp", fiches-auto.fr also documents this same power output on the Seat Ibiza 6J and the Škoda Fabia II, although we have not been able to confirm whether on those cars it corresponds to the BBM code or to a later recalibration not detailed by the sources consulted.^[3][7][9]

2. 2002–2014

   1.2 64/70 hp (BME, CGPA, 2002-2014)

   Higher-output calibration, launched in April 2002 with the code BME (47 kW/64 hp); it was the launch engine of the Škoda Roomster in 2006. Under the commercial designation "1.2 70 hp", fiches-auto.fr documents a later recalibration on the Seat Ibiza 6L, the Seat Ibiza 6J, the Volkswagen Polo V and the Škoda Fabia II, which we associate with the code CGPA as it is the only code on this page not explained by the Polo IV engine table; we have not found a source that independently confirms its exact introduction date or its power output in kW.^{[3][5][7][8][9][11]}