Skoda

Skoda from 1996 to 2025: four families of engines and gearboxes that have aged very differently

Almost thirty years separate the earliest Skoda models in this guide from the latest generations: between a first-generation Octavia fitted with a 1.9 TDI and engine codes AGR or ALH and a fourth-generation Octavia with a 2.0 TDI 150 and engine codes CKFC or DCYA, the architectures have changed profoundly. The Fabia followed a similar path, moving from the 1.4 TDI (codes AMF, BMS, BNM, BNV) and the small naturally aspirated 1.2 (AZQ, BBM, BMD, BME) to the 1.0 TSI (CHZC, CHZL, DKRC, DKRF) and 1.5 TSI (DADA, DPCA, DXDB) found in more recent versions. This generational evolution is the first reference point to bear in mind before identifying any part.

Octavia and Superb: the heart of the catalogue, with variants that must not be confused

The Octavia accounts for the largest share of available parts — 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes, DSG 6 and DSG 7, and reconditioned engines in both diesel and petrol. The 2.0 TDI illustrates just how complex identification can be: depending on power output and year, you encounter codes as varied as AZV, BKD, BKP (first generation of the engine), then CBAA, CBAB, CBDA, CBDB (the following phase), through to CKFC, DFFA, DFHA, DDAA for the 150 to 190 hp versions. The same 2.0 TDI engine capacity can therefore correspond to very different units depending on the model year and actual power output. The Superb shares several of these engines, notably the 2.5 TDI (codes AFB, AKE, AKN, AYM, BAU, BCZ, between 150 and 163 hp) which are not found in any other model in the range.

Turbos, transfer cases and DSG gearboxes: key technical points to watch

The catalogue also includes new turbos covering both the older-generation 1.9 TDI and the more recent 2.0 TDI and TSI units. On four-wheel-drive versions (Yeti, Karoq, Kodiaq, certain Octavia 4x4 variants), the engine code also determines transfer case compatibility — a critical point that is often overlooked. The DSG gearboxes offered on an exchange basis are supplied without the mechatronic unit but with a new dual-clutch. For petrol engines, the 1.4 TSI line underwent several significant revisions: codes CAXA, CAXC (first phase), CHPA, CHPB, CZDA, CZEA (140–150 hp) and CAVE (RS 180 hp) do not share the same associated gearboxes. Checking the engine code stamped on the block remains the only reliable way to confirm compatibility before placing any order.