T6.1 - Known major problems?

[albiro]

Hi all,

Given the 204ps Bi-Turbo CXEB T6 Engine & Turbo problems thread talking about oil consumption problems being a pretty common issue in the 2016-2019 generation of CXEB engines, I am curious whether the 204-equivalent engines in the T6.1s have any similar issues? Are the T6.1 engines pretty solid now, given they're about to go "off market" as the T6.1s are retired and the new T7 us brought in?

 

[Dellmassive]

The 2019 onwards replacement is the CXEC 199ps.

No known major issues afaik.

 

[Raggerty]

My 6.1 is the latest 204 engine upped from 199 due to some minor emission changes in early 2021
No issues with oils tops ups between services and beyond a dash rattle and turning over slowly with initial bite of the starter - not sure if this is a battery issue, however only 11000 miles to date so no complaints yet!

 

[BlakeyG]

T6.1 204 2020 70k ... all good, goes really well

 

[Extol]

Bought a brand new T6.1, just before Christmas, ( with delivery 8miles ) on the clock, drove home at around 55miles/h,(as its a new engine) warning light came on just before arriving home.
AdBlue fault. Took it back, it was with the dealership until first week of January. they have replaced AdBlue jet, AdBlue Tank with pump, driver unit. brough back home. lost all the confidence. haven't used it yet. two minded to keep or get rid of it. hence joined the group to see if these are any good. never had one before.

 

[Sackmycook]

You'd be within your consumer rights to reject it and get your money back

 

[BlakeyG]

Bought a brand new T6.1, just before Christmas, ( with delivery 8miles ) on the clock, drove home at around 55miles/h,(as its a new engine) warning light came on just before arriving home.
AdBlue fault. Took it back, it was with the dealership until first week of January. they have replaced AdBlue jet, AdBlue Tank with pump, driver unit. brough back home. lost all the confidence. haven't used it yet. two minded to keep or get rid of it. hence joined the group to see if these are any good. never had one before.

Must admit not a good start, but I'm really enjoying my T6.1 as a van and camper. Would be good to hear from others who have a T6.1

 

[manfrotto]

We've bought at 2022 T6.1 at around 35,000km and done around 10,000km in it - So far it has been brilliant. Slowly turning it into a modular camper so that it can be removed and used as a work van when required.

 

[Sasquatch]

Bought a brand new T6.1, just before Christmas, ( with delivery 8miles ) on the clock, drove home at around 55miles/h,(as its a new engine) warning light came on just before arriving home.
AdBlue fault. Took it back, it was with the dealership until first week of January. they have replaced AdBlue jet, AdBlue Tank with pump, driver unit. brough back home. lost all the confidence. haven't used it yet. two minded to keep or get rid of it. hence joined the group to see if these are any good. never had one before.

For all that the AdBlue system on the 6.1 is allegedly more trustworthy than on the 6.

 

[drinfinity]

Had my T6.1 new in Sep 22. Only minor issue was frozen door on a very cold morning. I’m very happy with it.

 

[FerrisBFW]

I am thinking on a t6 dsg 4motion camper next year to replace my ace t5.1 new engined CFCA 180 dsg 4motion Caravelle.

I must admit I cant wait to have adblue added to the pile of crap added to my chores and worries. Maybe I will get the lot mapped out etc right from the start?

A friend of a friend has a 2018 204 camper with 11k miles that looks amazing he might sell it to me next year. Having been down the road of new engines etc, I am not fond of more rubbish. I think I might get rid of the lot day one and see how the MOT's go

 

[DaveD]

A friend of a friend has a 2018 204 camper with 11k miles that looks amazing he might sell it to me next year.

The 2019 onwards replacement is the CXEC 199ps.

No known major issues afaik.

I'm no expert but isn't buying your friend's T6 putting you right back where you don't want to be? (At risk of needing a new engine)

 

[FerrisBFW]

yep. I guess if its super low miles maybe I can do something about this. If this deal gets to look like real, or next time I am there I will chat to Retro Resus on the subject.

I want a keep for a while camper, I want lwb, 4motion, dsg, so 50/50 its a BiTDI 11k miles known to me van needs investigating before I skip. I just think my Caravelle is too old to convert and keep 10 years, and its a swb. I am 1 mile from ULEZ and whilst I dont often have to cough up, its not going to get any easier.

 

[Katteja]

Hi. I have a 2021 T6.1 4Motion 110kw short, manual transmission, driven 165000 km. In February, the timing belt was replaced.
At the same time, the multi-ribbed belt, oil pump belt, engine oils, and oil, air, and fresh air filters were replaced.
In anticipation, I will start changing engine oils every 12 months in the future.

I have installed a DEFA battery maintenance charger and a starter battery heater in the car.

Arctic Battery Heater akkulämmitin AGM-akuille

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arcticheat.fi

Lazer triple-R 750 elite wide high beams installed on the mask.

Lisävalosetti Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 (2019+), 2 x Lazer Triple-R 750

Täydellinen, kaiken tarvittavan sisältävä lisävalopaketti vuoden 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 -pakettiauton etusäleikköön. Valaisimina toimii 2 kpl Lazer Triple-R 750:sta, normaali GEN2-versio tai Elite-malli.

www.valostore.fi

Future changes.
Engine heater changed to a parking heater.

Upgrade auxiliary heater - VW T6.1

Upgrade the auxiliary heater of your VW T6.1 to a parking heater. Suitable for the following vehicles with auxiliary heater: VW T6.1 -…

www.danhag.de

The windshield is replaced with a heated windshield.

Complete rust protection of the chassis.

Ruoste-estokeskus | Ruoste-estokäsittelyt, maalit ja hiekkapuhallus

Ruoste-estokäsittelyt, Maalit ja maalaustarvikkeet, Hiekkapuhallukset, Mipan pohja- ja hiomamaalit, kitit, apuaineet, sprayt, tarvikkeet ja pintamaalitkin.

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[JackOD]

Hi folks, just wanted to add to this thread. In November 2025 I bought a 2021 T6.1 with 20,000kms on it (as a trade vehicle from a ford dealer) . On the test drive all the warning lights came on the dash, I googled this and it seemed a battery issue. They changed the battery and this turned the lights off (for a while). A week after buying it the aircon wasnt working, neither hot nor cold. Also, the infotainment had stopped working, a total blank screen. This same week the reverse gear linkage also went. The garage took the van back and they had it 4 months. I just got it back last week and the reverse is working but the infotainment is now intermitently working, some days on, some days off. Now one of the vents for the aircon is also intermittently working. The garage said they changed the loom for the infotainment and I'm actually not sure what they did to the aircon system. The van rides really well, it's our dream van that we have started converting into our dream camper, but we both feel spooked now by the issues. Any thoughts would be really appreciated because the Ford garage we bought it off seem totally incompetent.

 

[DXX]

it's our dream van that we have started converting into our dream camper, but

Before investing money on a conversion use if for a few months and make sure it’s a Keeper and not a Lemon.

 

[Alster]

Not sure if it’s too late now but I would walk away from that one- try and get your money back and start over- despite what you may read there are loads of reliable t61s out there.