The A suffix tandem pump was used on Seat range until 2003 when it was dropped. The E suffix replaced it. VAG update parts from time to time so not really an issue.
Glynn, the rods are strong, but designed to carry enough strength to compress diesel fuel which burns and goes off down the exhaust. If the drum diesel had anything in it which didn't burn (pretty obvious due to the sludge) then this doesn't burn, builds up in the combustion chamber, doesn't compress, and the pistons/rods in effect hit a solid block instead of the compressible fuel/air mixture. Bent rods are common in engines where contaminated fuel has been introduced or water gets in the air inlet.