1.3 Multijet vs 1.4 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 43/100 (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 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202613 sources How 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 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 1.4 HDi
Item	1.3 Multijet	1.4 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,248 cm³	1,399 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	69–105 hp	54–92 hp
Production	2003–2024^[8][9][10]	2001–2010^{[5][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	4	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo	Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape High severity: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure^[3]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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]	1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)^[6][7] 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)^[6][13]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 1.4 HDi

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Sources

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

Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026