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MZR-CD vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-D carries less risk than the MZR-CD: 55/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

MZR-CD

64

High risk · 3 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

24 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the MZR-CD 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 MZR-CD and Skyactiv-D
MZR-CDSkyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power105–185 hp105–184 hp
Production2002–2013[9][10][11][12][13]since 2012[5][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk55High risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity33
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD
  2. High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations
  3. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  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 repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[6][10][20]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[7][21]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[8][22]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[8][23][24]
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

MZR-CD

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the MZR-CD

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.

  1. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Mazda diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Mazda3Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Mazda5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  18. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Mazda 3 II (2009-2013): Typische Probleme & Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French