1.3 Multijet vs 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 52/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The 1.3 Multijet has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure»; the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

High risk · 2 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 202613 sources How we work

Is the 1.3 Multijet reliable?

The 1.3 Multijet is a reliable diesel in the basics, but it has a known weak point across all its brands: the timing chain and its tensioner can stretch or fail if oil changes are neglected, with a risk of serious damage. In urban use, the EGR valve, the particulate filter and the variable-geometry turbo add to the list.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.3 Multijet faults

Is the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II reliable?

The 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II are Fiat diesels with a solid mechanical base, but with known faults worth checking before you buy: the timing belt tensioner may need replacing before the official interval, the EGR valve clogs with urban use, the particulate filter becomes saturated if there are not enough long journeys, and the dual-mass flywheel and the occasional injector wear with mileage. There is no officially recognised recall campaign for these faults.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II
Item	1.3 Multijet	1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,248 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	69–105 hp	90–170 hp
Production	2003–2024^[9][10][11]	since 2006^[9][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	52High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	4	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo	High severity: Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations Critical severity: Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot in urban use
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure^[3]	up to €550Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failurePublished figure^[5]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)^[1][2][3] 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)^[2][4] 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)^[2][4]	1.6 MultiJet II (90-130 hp, 2006-2024)^[5][6] 2.0 MultiJet II (120-170 hp, 2008-2024)^[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

1.3 Multijet

See the 20 models with the 1.3 Multijet

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

See the 11 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

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.

Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
Fiat Tipo: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade (seit 2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 2 March 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiat Bravo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat Bravo (2007)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade (BU)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026