1.6 dCi vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the D4/D5: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202617 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Is the D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and D4/D5
Item	1.6 dCi	D4/D5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–165 hp	120–235 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][9][10][11][12]}	2001–2024^[5][6][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	64High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder) High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)^[10]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)^[1][2] 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)^{[1][2][3][4][15]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[12]	2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)^[7][16] 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)^[7][8][17]
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

1.6 dCi

See the 14 models with the 1.6 dCi

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the D4/D5

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.

Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French