2021 BiTDI 204. A hard avoid?

[VanMan48]

Seen a T32 LWB 2021 kombi I like, but it has the BiTDI 204 engine. Has 40,000 miles on it with no issues to date it seems.

Are these a hard avoid? I don't know much about this, but are these 'newer' engines better/ok now?

If its an 'avoid', what should I be ideally looking for? I'm after a T32 LWB ideally that I want to keep for a good while.

Thanks!

 

[FWhite]

Seen a T32 LWB 2021 kombi I like, but it has the BiTDI 204 engine. Has 40,000 miles on it with no issues to date it seems.

Are these a hard avoid? I don't know much about this, but are these 'newer' engines better/ok now?

If its an 'avoid', what should I be ideally looking for? I'm after a T32 LWB ideally that I want to keep for a good while.

Thanks!

See this very recent thread:

Thread 'Buying advice. 2023 BiTDI.'

14 Mar 2026

Have seen a 2023 Kombi I like which is a BiTDI, 199 version. (50k miles)

I've only started reading about the history of these engines but they seem to be about older models. Are the BiTDI's still ones to avoid ideally?

Thanks.

• VanMan48
• Replies: 53
• Forum: General VW T6 Chat

 

[Lubrown]

They are for me but that’s because I don’t feel any need to literally double the horsepower I have in my T5 and I like simplicity, especially in something I want to last.
Others find the lure of a ‘fast’ van more exciting and are willing to accept the extra cost of fuel, insurance, tax and ever expanding emissions zone charges.

I hear the modern ones are more reliable (than the old 204) but to me they are still more complex and the two things rarely go hand in hand.

Resale on the more polluting vehicles will drop faster than the less polluting ones.

 

[VanMan48]

They are for me but that’s because I don’t feel any need to literally double the horsepower I have in my T5 and I like simplicity, especially in something I want to last.
Others find the lure of a ‘fast’ van more exciting and are willing to accept the extra cost of fuel, insurance, tax and ever expanding emissions zone charges.

I hear the modern ones are more reliable (than the old 204) but to me they are still more complex and the two things rarely go hand in hand.

Resale on the more polluting vehicles will drop faster than the less polluting ones.

yeah valid points. I've only had 150 engines and are plenty for me.

 

[Lubrown]

yeah valid points. I've only had 150 engines and are plenty for me.

The 150 seems the most popular from what I keep reading. And although my little 102 does me proud I’d consider the 150 next as it gets the six speed gearbox.

 

[T32Rich]

Mines a T32 2022 DSG (DMZA) 204 Bi-TDI, at the risk of cursing it, has been great for 18 months. Bought it a little short sighted to all the issues. So far, happy with it, regular servicing, very few short journeys and drives really nicely.

 

[VanMan48]

Mines a T32 2022 DSG (DMZA) 204 Bi-TDI, at the risk of cursing it, has been great for 18 months. Bought it a little short sighted to all the issues. So far, happy with it, regular servicing, very few short journeys and drives really nicely.

Thanks that’s good to know. I guess at some point when buying a used van there’s only so much research you can do before you have to take a punt!

 

[Dellmassive]

A 2021 would be the newer gen of engine, as above.

Id imagine.... Which has no known issues so far.

 

[ei-aprilia]

My tuppence worth , I've had .most engine power and gearbox configurations over the years. I loved my 1.9pd 102 bhp and never found it lacking even fully loaded although the 5 speed box I was always looking for another gear on the motorway. The six speed box is definitely an improvement and so is the extra 50 ponies. By far my favourite is the 204 with the dsg box. Such a pleasure to drive . My van tips the scales at very close to it's 3.2 ton weight limit and it can still waft along at speed effortlessly . I've been one of the unlucky punters and had a very expensive engine replacement. There doesn't seem to be any issues with 2019 on 204 vans so as long as the van you are looking at has been regularly serviced ( more regularly than every 20,000 as VW suggest ) buy it, enjoy it and lord over those in their lesser vans

 

[DaveD]

Single turbo 150, plenty fast enough, plenty reliable enough, and if you were worried about pollution you wouldn't be asking about diesel.

 

[Dellmassive]

My work van is the my2018 204 with dsg and it's awesome... So much power it pulls weight effortlessly.

It's a exeb engine that went pop, but was replaced by wv all in warranty.

...


My other van is a my2017 150 dsg camper conversion, I find that a joy to drive, and deals with the conversation weight fine...I'm very happy with it and its.more fuel efficient.

...

But I wouldn't think twice about getting a other bitutbo in the newer gen range. Dx etc

Though the 2019 exec 199 is still outstanding there and doing well.

 

[J13YEP]

204 is the nicest to drive i think. No issues like the old 204. It falls within the age and mileage of the “all in plan”so take that out for peace of mind for £46 a month.

 

[ryan944]

AVOID

 

[Fairy Cringe]

Don’t avoid. As far as I can tell, the later DMZA engine has no known issues. I’ve got the 204hp, late MY22 or early MY23. Drives nice, no issues. Get one. And belly laugh as you tear past a weedy 150hp…

 

[Fairy Cringe]

My engine spec sticker is located here…

 

[Macp]

Single turbo 150, plenty fast enough, plenty reliable enough, and if you were worried about pollution you wouldn't be asking about diesel.

This all day long. Mine is a cracking drive. I was asking my new VAG tech the other day how long these things last. He answered with, this is the single turbo right ? I said yes and he broke into a cheery smile and just said “excellent”.

 

[Fairy Cringe]

This all day long. Mine is a cracking drive. I was asking my new VAG tech the other day how long these things last. He answered with, this is the single turbo right ? I said yes and he broke into a cheery smile and just said “excellent”.

Well my new VAG tech said the 150’s were for sandal wearing chin strokers and that the 204 double turbo fire breathers were even excellenter so there….

 

[Macp]

Well my new VAG tech said the 150’s were for sandal wearing chin strokers and that the 204 double turbo fire breathers were even excellenter so there….

Eh no !
I’m a strocker sure enough, but I draw the line at stroking me chin. And I use that strong wrist/hand to shift gears too.