BMW B47 vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-D carries less risk than the BMW B47: 55/100 versus 73/100 (both high risk). The BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

BMW B47

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202616 sources How we work

Is the BMW B47 reliable?

The BMW B47 (since 2014, successor to the N47) improves the timing chain tensioner, guides and oil supply and greatly reduces the failure rate of its predecessor, but it is not free of problems: the EGR cooler has been the subject of several BMW technical campaigns for engine fire risk since 2018, and the turbo and particulate filter need careful maintenance.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the BMW B47 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B47 and Skyactiv-D
Item	BMW B47	Skyactiv-D
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	114–228 hp	105–184 hp
Production	since 2014^[1]	since 2012^[5][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	73High risk	55High risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire High severity: Timing chain wear (improved, but is it really at the front?) High severity: Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenance	High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repair	up to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure^[3]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B47 114-150 hp, single turbo (2014-)^[2][4] B47 168-190 hp, single turbo (2014-)^[2][4] B47 202-228 hp, twin-turbo (2015-)^[2][4] B47C20 (MINI Cooper D/SD and Countryman, 2014-)^[1][4]	2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)^[6][11][12] 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)^[7][13] 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)^[8][14] 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)^[8][15][16]
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

BMW B47

See the 19 models with the BMW B47

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the BMW B47

With the Skyactiv-D

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.

BMW B47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW B47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French