bit of knowledge on the mk6 1.2

[shantybeater]

Hi guys, just swapped my cupra plus a nice bundle of cash for a mk6 1.2, it's gonna be my runaround for a few weeks/months and just wanted to know if there are any common issues I should know about. The cam chain has been replaced already & its on 42k. How often does this cam chain need replacing? (ive heard they slip/break frequently)

[RUM4MO]

Hopefully when it was changed, any parts that needed upgrading were changed too - just ask or find out where it was repaired - as that was probably why it was replaced - ie it had jumped a bit or got broken by jumping.

[JUV]

I'm no expert but from what I've read it was the pre-tensioners that were at fault on early MkVI's, and they were redesigned later. Ours is a 2002 model and the chain went at about 56k last year (long before we bought the car last week). According to the paperwork it was sorted out by a VW dealership who replaced both the timing chain and the pre-tensioners - and they obviously recognised there was a design fault somewhere, as VW paid half the bill, despite the warranty giving out long since.

They also replaced the coil packs at the same time, again paying half themselves, but I'm not sure if that's related or just another known fault that happened to coincide.