Diesel versus petrol - which is the best bet for long term ownership?
I am thinking of buying a Skoda Octavia and will probably keep it 10+ years. Is a diesel a better bet for a more reliable engine? I do approx 15,000 miles a year.
Asked on 31 May 2016 by Roy Scott
Answered by
Honest John
No. Even though VAG's EA288 TDI engines are a vast improvement on their previous EA189 TDIs, a diesel engine has to carry more emissions absorbing kit than a petrol engine and all of this has a finite life. Additionally, the TDIs are still belt cam, needing a fresh belt, waterpump and tensioner every 4 years.
Even though VAG had problems with 2.0TFSI timing chains, piston rings and carbonising of inlet valves this has not occurred with its EA288 2.0TFSIs from 2013 that are both direct and indirect injected. I'd go 2.0TFSI.
Even though VAG had problems with 2.0TFSI timing chains, piston rings and carbonising of inlet valves this has not occurred with its EA288 2.0TFSIs from 2013 that are both direct and indirect injected. I'd go 2.0TFSI.
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