Oil consumption (piston rings)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Needs topping up, blue smoke on start
Fix: Monitor; rings or valve stem seals
€500–1,500
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
1.4 / 1.6 16v MPI (EA111: BCA / BUD / CGGA)
Petrol · 1,390 / 1,598 cm³ · 55–77 kW
27
model generations
3
known faults
308,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Petrol. Timing drive: belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo.
In our database this engine is fitted to 27 model generations, among them: Volkswagen Golf VI, Volkswagen Polo V (6R/6C), SEAT Ibiza IV, Volkswagen Golf Plus, Škoda Fabia II, Škoda Octavia II and 21 more.
The most expensive known risk is oil consumption (piston rings): it usually appears at 120,000–220,000 km and costs €500–1,500 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,390 / 1,598 cm³ |
| Power | 55–77 kW |
| Years | 1996–2015 |
| Timing drive | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo |
| Oil | 5W-40 / 5W-30 · VW 502.00 / 504.00 · ~3.2–3.6 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | BCA, AXP, AKQ, APE, AUA, AUB, BBY, BBZ, BKY, BUD, BXW, CGGA, CGGB, AHW, AZD, BCB, ATN, AUS, BKR |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Thermostat / coolant flange leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss, slow warm-up
Fix: Replace thermostat and flange
€100–250
Throttle body / idle control
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Unstable idle, stalling
Fix: Clean and adapt the throttle body
€60–250
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the Volkswagen Polo V (6R/6C) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 90,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
Audi A2 1999–2005SEAT Altea 2004–2015SEAT Córdoba 2002–2009SEAT Ibiza III 2002–2008SEAT Ibiza IV 2008–2017SEAT León I 1999–2005SEAT León II 2005–2012SEAT Toledo II 1998–2004SEAT Toledo III 2004–2009Škoda Fabia I 1999–2007Škoda Fabia II 2007–2014Škoda Octavia I 1996–2010Škoda Octavia II 2004–2013Škoda Octavia Tour 2004–2010Škoda Roomster 2006–2015Volkswagen Bora 1998–2005Volkswagen Caddy III 2004–2020Volkswagen Fox 2005–2011Volkswagen Golf IV 1997–2006Volkswagen Golf Plus 2005–2014Volkswagen Golf V 2003–2008Volkswagen Golf VI 2008–2012Volkswagen Lupo 1998–2005Volkswagen Polo III (6N) 1994–2001Volkswagen Polo IV (9N) 2001–2009Volkswagen Polo V (6R/6C) 2009–2017Volkswagen Touran I 2003–2015
Common questions
Does the 1.4 / 1.6 16v MPI (EA111: BCA / BUD / CGGA) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo.
What oil does the 1.4 / 1.6 16v MPI (EA111: BCA / BUD / CGGA) engine take?
5W-40 / 5W-30 · VW 502.00 / 504.00 · ~3.2–3.6 L · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 1.4 / 1.6 16v MPI (EA111: BCA / BUD / CGGA) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: oil consumption (piston rings) (120,000–220,000 km, €500–1,500).
Which cars have the 1.4 / 1.6 16v MPI (EA111: BCA / BUD / CGGA) engine?
Volkswagen Golf VI, Volkswagen Polo V (6R/6C), SEAT Ibiza IV, Volkswagen Golf Plus, Škoda Fabia II, Škoda Octavia II and 21 more.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026