Skoda Yeti 5L
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Skoda Yeti 5L (2009–2017) has retrospectively built a following that almost no other Skoda model has achieved. Compact exterior dimensions, optional all-wheel drive, a sensible driving position, VW A5 platform. The 2013 facelift was substantial: revised front end, new engines, improved quality. Today the Yeti is considered one of the best compact SUVs of the past decade — and the market has not yet fully priced that in.
The engines: The CBZB (1.2 TSI, 77 kW/105 hp) is the most common unit — but also the most problematic in the Yeti context. The EA111 three-cylinder has an undersized timing chain: from 60,000–100,000 km it can stretch, and the tensioner is too weak to compensate. Rattling on cold start is the first warning sign. In the worst case the chain jumps a tooth — engine failure. Chain replacement €700–1,300, total engine loss €2,000–4,000. Only buy with a known service history. The CAVE (1.4 TSI, 90 kW/122 hp) also has chain issues and additionally water pump problems — the plastic impeller pump cracks (€800–1,200). Best practice: replace simultaneously with any chain or belt service. The CDAA (1.8 TSI, 118 kW/160 hp) is the most satisfying petrol in the Yeti — robust, no widespread chain problem, enough power for all-wheel drive operation.
Diesel: The CAYC (1.6 TDI, 77 kW/105 hp) is frugal but susceptible to DPF issues with short-trip use. The CBBB (2.0 TDI, 103 kW/140 hp) is the workhorse engine — robust, built for high mileage, the first choice on 4x4 variants.
The DSG DQ200 (7-speed dry clutch, on the smaller TSI engines) carries the same mechatronics issues in the Yeti as in other VAG vehicles. Change the gearbox oil every 40,000 km — VAG remains silent on this, but it is the only way to prevent problems. Repair runs €800–2,000. The panoramic roof (optional) lets water in through blocked drain tubes after a few years — blow the drain outlets with compressed air every 2 years.
The Yeti's suspension is uncomplicated — control arms and anti-roll bar links wear from 80,000–100,000 km as on all MQB A5 vehicles, cost €150–300 per axle. The rear brake calipers like to seize when the car is used infrequently — a well-known topic and not expensive to fix. The Yeti is not a difficult car overall: choose the right engine, keep up with service intervals, and there is little to worry about.
Test-drive checklist: CBZB and CAVE: cold-start rattle (timing chain). Panoramic roof: check cabin for water staining. DSG: cold pull-away in urban traffic. All-wheel drive: Haldex coupling — check drain lines and oil condition. Rear brakes: does the car pull to one side under braking?
2026 market: Pre-facelift 2009–2012 from €6,000, post-facelift 2014+ with good engines €10,000–14,000. 4x4 premium €1,500–3,000. The Yeti is currently hard to beat for its money.
Insider pick: Post-facelift 2014+ with 2.0 TDI CBBB, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive — no chain risk, no DQ200, Haldex four-wheel drive for everyday use. If all-wheel drive is not needed: 1.8 TSI CDAA with DSG DQ250.
140 PS
Yeti · Diesel
140 hp TDI — best Yeti diesel
Fun to Drive!122–125 PS
1.4L TSI Benzin
3 weaknesses
Good Choice150–160 PS
1.8L TSI Benzin
4 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Skoda Yeti 5L is available with 5 engine variants — from 90 to 170 hp.
The 1.6L TDI CR (EA189, CAYC) is fundamentally a long-lived diesel capable of 300,000+ km with proper care. However, the mandatory emissions scandal software update (23R7) increased EGR stress on many vehicles and triggered secondary damage. VW offered goodwill coverage for EGR valve, injectors and high-pressure pump for 24 months after the update.
- !! EGR valve wear and failure from 100,000 km
The EGR valve clogs with soot deposits, especially in short-trip driving. Following the Dieselgate software update, the elevated EGR rate significantly accelerated failures — defects documented from as little as 78,000 km.
Symptoms: Black exhaust smoke, power loss, engine judders especially below 50 km/h, limp mode with fault code 'EGR valve faulty'. - !! Emissions scandal mandatory software update (EA189)
All CAYC engines with Euro 5 certification are affected by the EA189 Dieselgate recall (recall 23R7). Vehicles without the update risk being taken off the road. The update affects engine characteristics.
Symptoms: Without update: risk of impoundment by authorities. After update: possible increase in fuel consumption and altered torque curve. - !! Diesel particulate filter blockage from 150,000 km
The DPF only lasts 120,000–180,000 km with predominantly short-trip driving. Excessively frequent regeneration cycles (every 120 km instead of 750+ km) indicate a saturated or defective filter.
Symptoms: Engine check light, frequent regeneration phases with elevated consumption, reduced power, in the worst case engine protection shutdown.
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 2.0L TDI CR (EA189, CBBB) at 103 kW is a solid diesel that reaches 300,000 km with good care. The dual-mass flywheel is a known wear item on manual gearbox vehicles from around 120,000–150,000 km. Injectors and DPF are the other typical cost factors. Affected by the emissions scandal like all EA189 variants.
- !! Dual-mass flywheel wear from 130,000 km
The dual-mass flywheel on the 2.0 TDI CBBB with manual gearbox typically wears from 120,000–140,000 km. Complete failure risks gearbox damage through metallic contact of the spring elements.
Symptoms: Clattering rattle at idle and when pulling away, strong vibrations below 1,500 rpm, clunking during gear changes. - !! Injectors leaking and worn from 180,000 km
The common-rail injectors of the EA189 2.0 TDI tend to leak at the valve cover gaskets and suffer from nozzle wear. Faulty injectors impair combustion and contribute to DPF problems.
Symptoms: Rough idle, poor cold start quality, elevated consumption, visible soot clouds under acceleration. - !! Diesel particulate filter saturation from 140,000 km
The DPF of the 2.0 TDI CBBB reaches saturation in city driving after 120,000–150,000 km. A blocked filter forces frequent forced regenerations and higher fuel consumption.
Symptoms: DPF engine check light, elevated fuel consumption up to 2 L/100 km extra, rarely engine protection shutdown at maximum back-pressure.
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 1.2L TSI (EA111) coded CBZB is structurally prone to timing chain elongation — a design flaw not corrected until October 2011. Engines built before that date carry elevated risk. The first-generation turbocharger tends to seize, which Skoda was internally aware of. With regular oil changes and controlled avoidance of short trips, the engine can reach 130,000 km+.
- !! Timing chain elongation and chain tensioner from 60,000 km
Engines built before October 2011 (CBZA/CBZB/CBZC) are inherently prone to timing chain elongation from defective chain tensioners and worn guide rails. Damage possible from 30,000 km.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough idle, in extreme cases engine failure from chain skip. - !! Turbocharger seizure (first generation) from 70,000 km
The turbocharger on the first-generation 1.2 TSI (EA111) tends to seize by design. Skoda was internally aware of the problem and carried out a workshop action (24W6).
Symptoms: EPC warning light, sudden power loss, engine recovers briefly after restart, then fails again. - !! Elevated oil consumption from 80,000 km
The EA111 TSI consumes more oil than naturally aspirated engines by design due to direct injection and turbocharging. Problematic oil control rings can elevate consumption further.
Symptoms: Frequent top-up required between service intervals, occasional blueish exhaust smoke under load.
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
1.4L TSI Twincharger (EA111) with combined turbo and mechanical supercharger — inherently complex and wear-prone by design. Timing chain stretch is the notorious main problem and can appear from as little as 30,000 km; repair costs frequently exceed the value of older examples. Only buy with complete oil change history and chain noise inspection.
- !! Timing chain stretch (notorious) from 50,000 km
Defective chain tensioners and worn guide rails cause timing chain stretch — sometimes from as little as 30,000–50,000 km. Chain skip causes severe engine damage up to total failure. VAG repair kit 03F 198 229 A available but expensive.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, rough engine running, engine check light — in the worst case sudden engine stop from chain skip. - !! Turbocharger / supercharger clutch failed from 100,000 km
The twincharger combines a turbo and mechanical supercharger — the supercharger clutch wears prematurely and the turbocharger suffers from oil starvation caused by the chain problems. Replacement is expensive and hard to source.
Symptoms: Significant power loss, whistling or clattering noises under load, boost pressure loss — vehicle goes into limp mode. - !! Elevated oil consumption (piston rings) from 80,000 km
CAVE and CAVD tend toward elevated oil consumption from worn piston rings. Repair requires engine removal; costs for a piston ring replacement are €3,000–6,000, making a full rebuild the sensible option.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust, dropping oil level between service intervals, oily smell inside the cabin at high load.
The 1.8L TSI (EA888 Gen2, CDAA) became notorious for its oil consumption — a design fault with undersized oil control rings that VAG only fully resolved later. The timing chain was revised five times (last version March 2012), indicating acknowledged design weaknesses. Cooling system (thermostat/water pump) is a further weak point. With piston ring repair and regular oil maintenance the engine remains long-lived.
- !! High oil consumption from undersized piston rings from 80,000 km
EA888 Gen2 CDAA engines were fitted from factory with overly thin oil control rings. From around 50,000–100,000 km consumption rises to 1–2 L/1,000 km. Cylinder bores can suffer secondary damage.
Symptoms: Frequent oil top-up between services (up to 3 L), blueish exhaust smoke under load, burning oil smell. - !! Timing chain elongation and tensioner from 90,000 km
VAG revised the chain tensioner for the CDAA five times up to March 2012. Despite the revisions, chain damage appears from 70,000–100,000 km. A jumped chain risks severe engine damage.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough idle, engine check light, in the worst case sudden engine failure. - !! Thermostat and water pump failure from 110,000 km
The water pump and thermostat housing of the EA888 Gen2 are known weak points. Coolant loss and overheating risk typically appear from 100,000 km. Removal is time-consuming (approx. 3 hours).
Symptoms: Coolant level drops without visible leak, temperature gauge rises irregularly, coolant smell in engine bay.
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Haldex coupling failure from neglected servicing The electro-hydraulic Haldex 4 coupling fails with a blocked oil filter or used-up oil. VAG stipulates a 60,000 km interval without filter change; Haldex recommends 30,000 km with filter. A complete failure costs over €4,000. Symptoms: Front wheels spin without AWD engagement, no drive on poor surfaces, fault code in the fault memory for the Haldex unit. from 80,000 km | High |
Test Reports
TÜV Report 2024
The Yeti passes the MOT with slightly above-average results. Steering, driveshafts and corrosion protection are exemplary; only brake discs and TSI timing chains stand out.
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 38 weaknesses have been documented for the Skoda Yeti 5L (2009–2017) — 30 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. 5 problem engines: CBZB (1.2L TSI), CAVE (1.4L TSI), CDAA (1.8L TSI), CAYC (1.6L TDI), CBBB (2.0L TDI CR). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Rust, Body, Electronics. Considered reliable: CZEA (1.4L TSI), CZDA (1.4L TSI).
Yeti (CAYC, 2009–2015) — Stay Away!: EGR valve wear and failure, Emissions scandal mandatory software update (EA189), Diesel particulate filter blockage. Power: 105 PS.
Yeti (CBBB, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: Dual-mass flywheel wear, Injectors leaking and worn, Diesel particulate filter saturation. Power: 140 PS.
Yeti (DFGA, 2013–2017) — Be Careful: EGR cooler leaking, EGR valve coked up, DPF blockage from short-trip driving. Power: 150 PS.
Yeti (CBZB, 2009–2017) — Stay Away!: Timing chain elongation and chain tensioner, Turbocharger seizure (first generation), Elevated oil consumption. Power: 105–110 PS.
Yeti (CAVE, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretch (notorious), Turbocharger / supercharger clutch failed, Elevated oil consumption (piston rings). Power: 122 PS.
Yeti (CDAA, 2009–2017) — Stay Away!: High oil consumption from undersized piston rings, Timing chain elongation and tensioner, Thermostat and water pump failure. Power: 160 PS.
Yeti (CDAA, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: High oil consumption from undersized piston rings, Timing chain elongation and tensioner, Thermostat and water pump failure. Power: 152 PS.
What to watch out for with the Skoda Yeti? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee