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

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the 2.0 HDi: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 2.0 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 HDi

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 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) is one of the dieselgate engines: it needs the software update and, unlike the 2.0 TDI, an air flow stabiliser, on top of the typical EGR, particulate filter and turbo faults. The later EA288 (from 2012, 80-120 hp) is not singled out by the scandal, but it shares the need to keep an eye on the timing belt and the water pump.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 TDI faults

Is the 2.0 HDi reliable?

It is a robust diesel in its simplest 90 hp version, but the 136 to 140 hp generation with a DPF (2004-2011) concentrates the engine's problems: turbo, DPF, EGR and, above all, a dual-mass flywheel that fails very often. The BlueHDi engines (from 2013) are mechanically more reliable, but add an AdBlue tank that can crystallise; the OCU (Spanish consumer organisation) has reported this fault in Spain and Stellantis covers it with a compensation programme.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 2.0 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and 2.0 HDi
Item	1.6 TDI	2.0 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,997 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–120 hp	90–180 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	1999–2021^{[5][10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	55High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliser High severity: Timing belt and water pump High severity: Variable-geometry turbo seized or with play	High severity: Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging) High severity: DPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine) Medium severity: Premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[14][15]	up to €1,200AdBlue tank crystallisation and failures (BlueHDi)Published figure^[7][8][16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][17]	2.0 HDi 90 (DW10TD, 1999-2005)^[5] 2.0 HDi 150/163 DPF (DW10C / DW10CTED4, 2007-2013)^[5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)^[5] 2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)^[5] 2.0 BlueHDi 120/150/163/180 (DW10FE / DW10FD / DW10FC, 2013-2021)^[5][6][7][8]
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 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

2.0 HDi

See the 19 models with the 2.0 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the 2.0 HDi

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Sources

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

Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
AdBlue : problèmes en pagailleFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Más problemas para Stellantis: ahora tendrá que indemnizar también a los afectados por el AdBlueAutopista · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
El fallo que afecta a cientos de coches y que ahora la OCU denuncia para reclamar indemnizacionesAutopista · Motoring press · published 29 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 307Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot 3008Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Citroën C4 PicassoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Aditivo AdBlue: qué debes usar para evitar una reparación de 2.000 euros en tu coche diéselAutopista · Motoring press · published 1 April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish