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1.6 HDi vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-D carries less risk than the 1.6 HDi: 55/100 versus 71/100 (both 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 Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

1.6 HDi

71

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High 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

35 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 Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.[10][11][12][13]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 HDi and Skyactiv-D
1.6 HDiSkyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,560 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power75–120 hp105–184 hp
Production2004–2019[4][6][14][15][16][17][18]since 2012[10][19][20]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)71High risk55High risk
Documented faults74
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. High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations
  2. High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication
  3. Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,500Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)Estimate[1][21][22][23][24][25][26]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)[27][28]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 HDi 75/90 16V (DV6BTED4 / DV6ATED4, 2004-2011)[2][3][27]
  • 1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)[2][6][27]
  • 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][17][29]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[11][30][31]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[12][32]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[13][33]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[13][34][35]
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

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 HDi

With the Skyactiv-D

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. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Prueba de consumo (202): Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6-BlueHDi 120 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 24 December 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Peugeot DV6TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Motor Peugeot DV6FDTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  21. Turbo intercambio Garrett 753420 motor 1.6HDi 1.6TDCI 1.6DFG Automoción · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Turbo Garrett 753420 (GT1544V) para 1.6 HDI 110 CVAML Turbos · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Tubo de engrase PSA 1.6 HDI 110 CV + filtro (OP10049COMP)Electromotor Lantejuela · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. ¿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
  25. 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
  26. ¿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
  27. Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  28. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  29. Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  30. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  31. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  32. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  33. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  34. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  35. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French