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1.6 HDi vs 2.0 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TDI carries less risk than the 1.6 HDi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 71/100 (high risk). The 1.6 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)»; the 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI».

Risk index

1.6 HDi

71

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 TDI

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

38 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 HDi reliable?

It is an efficient diesel, but its 16-valve versions (2004-2011) have a serious weak point: the turbo is starved of lubrication by carbon deposits from the oil, often made worse by leaks at the injector washers. The 8V engines (from 2010) improved, although you need to watch the 2010-2011 belt and the injectors, and on the BlueHDi the AdBlue tank.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 7 of the 1.6 HDi faults

Is the 2.0 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2008-2015) is the dieselgate engine: it needed a software update and has a record of EGR, particulate filter, turbo and injection faults. The earlier pumpe-düse (unit injector) engine has oil pump failures, and on the EA288 and EA288 evo (from 2012) the known faults are minor: coolant leaks and the odd AdBlue tank.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

See the 8 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 HDi and 2.0 TDI
1.6 HDi2.0 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,560 cm³1,968 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power75–120 hp84–240 hp
Production2004–2019[4][6][16][17][18][19][20]since 2003[10][21][22][23][24]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)71High risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults78
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)
  2. High severity: Timing belt failure and premature wear
  3. Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi)
  1. Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI
  2. Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update
  3. High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,500Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)Estimate[1][25][26][27][28][29][30]up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure[12][31][32]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)[33][34]
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)[14]
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)[15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 HDi 75/90 16V (DV6BTED4 / DV6ATED4, 2004-2011)[2][3][33]
  • 1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)[2][6][33]
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)[5][7]
  • 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019)[8][19][35]
  • 2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)[13][36]
  • 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)[12][37][38]
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

1.6 HDi

See the 48 models with the 1.6 HDi

2.0 TDI

See the 48 models with the 2.0 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 HDi

With the 2.0 TDI

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. Häufige Schäden und die professionelle Reparatur (Turbolader PSA 1,6 HDi)Krafthand · Motoring press · published 6 June 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. Boletín de servicio: sustitución del turbo en motores DV6 (versión reducida de la Información de servicio nº 77)Turbotec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Diesel : la liste des pannes récurrentes des moteurs HDi, dCi, TDI... (1.6 HDi)L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 October 2014 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 110 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los coches con AdBlueOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. El Grupo PSA lanza la gama de motores Blue HDikm77 · Motoring press · published 16 September 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  12. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  13. Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  15. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  16. Prueba de consumo (202): Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6-BlueHDi 120 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 24 December 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Peugeot DV6TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  20. Motor Peugeot DV6FDTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  22. VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  23. List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  24. Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor SymposiumVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 27 April 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  25. Turbo intercambio Garrett 753420 motor 1.6HDi 1.6TDCI 1.6DFG Automoción · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  26. Turbo Garrett 753420 (GT1544V) para 1.6 HDI 110 CVAML Turbos · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. Tubo de engrase PSA 1.6 HDI 110 CV + filtro (OP10049COMP)Electromotor Lantejuela · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  28. ¿Cuál es el precio de la mano de obra en los talleres de las 10 marcas más vendidas en España?km77 · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  29. La doble tarifa de la mano de obra en los talleres españoles: lo que dice su tablón vs. lo que realmente ingresanInfotaller · Motoring press · published June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  30. ¿Estás cobrando lo justo en tu taller? Así está la mano de obra por hora en 2025Infotaller · Motoring press · published 9 September 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  31. Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  32. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  33. Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  34. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  35. Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  36. VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  37. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  38. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026