Volkswagen P0301

Cylinder 1 misfire on VW — coil pack failure on TSI is the headline cause, carbon build-up on higher-mileage cars.

Volkswagen P0301 — Cylinder 1 misfire on VW — coil pack failure on TSI is the headline cause, carbon build-up on higher-mileage cars. Typical UK independent garage cost: £50–£480.

What actually causes P0301 on a Volkswagen

VW TSI coil packs fail one at a time — pretty consistent across all VAG engines. P0301 with a shake at idle and cylinder-1 specific fuel trims confirms it. On higher-mileage 2.0 TSI DI engines, carbon on intake valves causes lean misfires. Coil + plug is the cheap first move.

Volkswagen engines that log P0301

• 1.4/1.8/2.0 TSI EA888
• 1.2/1.4 TSI EA111
• 1.6 FSI / MPI

How we diagnose P0301 on a Volkswagen

1. Swap coil pack cylinder 1 to another cylinder, clear and re-test
2. Check spark plug condition (NGK or VAG-spec)
3. VCDS: read misfire counter per cylinder
4. On high-mileage DI engines, plan walnut blast if misfires wander
5. Compression test if coil/plug exclude electrical cause

The common misdiagnosis to avoid

VAG coil packs are notorious — keep a spare in stock if you maintain a fleet of TSI cars. £25 part, 5-minute fix, no diagnostic needed if symptoms are textbook.

Volkswagen P0301 repair cost in the UK

Expect £50–£480 including parts and labour at an independent garage. Main-dealer quotes on Volkswagen are usually higher for the same job, and the spread exists because the cheap cause and the expensive cause throw the same code — pay for the diagnosis before you pay for parts.

Bob's workshop tip

Direct-injection 2.0 TSI EA888 over 80k often benefits from a walnut blast even without codes — the carbon build-up degrades performance long before it logs a misfire.

Codes usually seen alongside P0301 on Volkswagen

• P0300
• P0302
• P0303
• P0304

Symptoms drivers report with P0301

• Engine 'juddering' like a wet dog when you try to overtake on the A9.
• The car 'kangaroos' at low speeds, especially when the engine is stone cold.
• The EML (Engine Management Light) is flashing at you—that's a 'stop now' warning for your catalytic converter.
• A distinct 'put-put-put' sound from the exhaust pipe at idle.
• Massive loss of power, feels like you're towing a caravan that isn't there.

Repairs that clear P0301

• Replace spark plug
• Swap coil pack
• Injector test
• Compression test

For the generic, all-makes explanation of this code — meaning, every known cause and UK cost bands — see our P0301 guide.