TDV6 / SDV6 vs MZR-CD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the TDV6 / SDV6 carries less risk than the MZR-CD: 46/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The TDV6 / SDV6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells»; the MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD».

Risk index

TDV6 / SDV6

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

MZR-CD

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202618 sources How we work

Is the TDV6 / SDV6 reliable?

The Land Rover and Jaguar TDV6/SDV6 diesel V6 engines, shared with Peugeot and Citroën, have a serious documented fault: crankshaft and main bearing shells on the 3.0, and the belt-driven oil pump on the 2.7. Insist on a service history and weigh up the repair cost before buying.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the TDV6 / SDV6 faults

Is the MZR-CD reliable?

The MZR-CD is Mazda's most widespread diesel between 2002 and 2013, fitted to the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda5 and CX-7. It is sensitive to short journeys: the injector seals and incomplete DPF regenerations can dilute the oil, and the EGR and intake build up carbon. The 2.2-litre redesign (from 2008), with a timing chain instead of a belt, adds the risk of that chain stretching and damaging the engine.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the MZR-CD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of TDV6 / SDV6 and MZR-CD
Item	TDV6 / SDV6	MZR-CD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,720 cm³	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	188–302 hp	105–185 hp
Production	2004–2018^[8]	2002–2013^{[9][10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	46Moderate risk	64High risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells Critical severity: Broken oil pump housing and timing belt jumping on the 2.7 Medium severity: Turbo and pneumatic actuator failure on the 3.0 TDV6/SDV6	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.7 TDV6 (276DT/DT17, 2004-2010)^[3][14] 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 (306DT, 2009-2018)^[1][2]	2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)^[4][6][15] 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)^{[4][6][15][16]} 2.2 MZR-CD 125-185 (R2, 2008-2013)^{[5][7][17][18]}
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

TDV6 / SDV6

See the 14 models with the TDV6 / SDV6

MZR-CD

Other comparisons

With the TDV6 / SDV6

With the MZR-CD

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.

Land Rover Discovery TDV6 engine failures making headlinesLandyOnline · Other source · published October 2015 · consulted 5 October 2026
Land Rover & Jaguar SDV6/TDV6 Crankshaft RepairJLR Engines · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
Land Rover 2.7 TDV6 Timing Belt Replacement GuideBudget Parts (roverparts.eu) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Mazda diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
TdV6 Timing BeltLes Richmond Automotive (lrautomotive.com.au) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 3 II (2009-2013): Typische Probleme & Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German