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1.3 Multijet vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 39/100 (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 D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

64

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

39

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

14 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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and D5 5 cilindros
1.3 MultijetD5 5 cilindros
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,248 cm³2,400 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power69–105 hp126–215 hp
Production2003–2024[8][9][10]2001–2015[11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk39Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity41
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: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it
  2. Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon
  3. Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure[3]up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure[7]
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]
  • 2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)[5][6]
  • 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)[5][6]
  • 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)[6][14]
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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the D5 5 cilindros

Compare other engines

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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. Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  14. Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026