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1.3 Multijet vs TDV6 / SDV6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the TDV6 / SDV6 carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 46/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.3 Multijet has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure»; the TDV6 / SDV6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

64

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

TDV6 / SDV6

46

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.3 Multijet reliable?

The 1.3 Multijet is a reliable diesel in the basics, but it has a known weak point across all its brands: the timing chain and its tensioner can stretch or fail if oil changes are neglected, with a risk of serious damage. In urban use, the EGR valve, the particulate filter and the variable-geometry turbo add to the list.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.3 Multijet faults

Is the TDV6 / SDV6 reliable?

The Land Rover and Jaguar TDV6/SDV6 diesel V6 engines, shared with Peugeot and Citroën, have a serious documented fault: crankshaft and main bearing shells on the 3.0, and the belt-driven oil pump on the 2.7. Insist on a service history and weigh up the repair cost before buying.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the TDV6 / SDV6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and TDV6 / SDV6
1.3 MultijetTDV6 / SDV6
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,248 cm³2,720 cm³
TimingChainWet belt (belt-in-oil)
Power69–105 hp188–302 hp
Production2003–2024[8][9][10]2004–2018[11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
  2. High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution
  3. High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo
  1. Critical severity: Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells
  2. Critical severity: Broken oil pump housing and timing belt jumping on the 2.7
  3. Medium severity: Turbo and pneumatic actuator failure on the 3.0 TDV6/SDV6
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure[3]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)[1][2][3]
  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)[2][4]
  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)[2][4]
  • 2.7 TDV6 (276DT/DT17, 2004-2010)[7][12]
  • 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 (306DT, 2009-2018)[5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.3 Multijet

See the 20 models with the 1.3 Multijet

TDV6 / SDV6

See the 14 models with the TDV6 / SDV6

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the TDV6 / SDV6

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
  5. Land Rover Discovery TDV6 engine failures making headlinesLandyOnline · Other source · published October 2015 · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Land Rover & Jaguar SDV6/TDV6 Crankshaft RepairJLR Engines · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Land Rover 2.7 TDV6 Timing Belt Replacement GuideBudget Parts (roverparts.eu) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  8. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. TdV6 Timing BeltLes Richmond Automotive (lrautomotive.com.au) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026