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2.0 TDI vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TDI carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

27 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 7 of the 2.0 TDI 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.[7][8][9][10]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and Skyactiv-D
2.0 TDISkyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,968 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power84–240 hp105–184 hp
Productionsince 2003[1][11][12][13][14]since 2012[7][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk55High risk
Documented faults74
Of high or critical severity33
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  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 €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure[3][17][18]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)[5]
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)[6]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)[4][19]
  • 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)[3][20][21]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[8][22][23]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[9][24]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[10][25]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[10][26][27]
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

2.0 TDI

See the 41 models with the 2.0 TDI

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TDI

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. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. 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
  3. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. 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
  6. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. 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
  15. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  22. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  24. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  25. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  26. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  27. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French