1.3 Multijet vs 1.8 TDCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 TDCi carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.3 Multijet has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure»; the 1.8 TDCi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Breakage of the timing belt or of the high-pressure pump's belt (running in oil)».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 TDCi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 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 1.8 TDCi reliable?

The 1.8 TDCi (codename Lynx) was Ford's standard diesel between 2001 and 2014, with Delphi common-rail injection and a variable-geometry turbo. It is an engine with well-documented faults: the dual-mass flywheel and clutch are by far its weakest point, followed by the injectors, the EGR valve and, to a lesser extent, the turbo hoses and the timing drive itself.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.8 TDCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 1.8 TDCi
Item	1.3 Multijet	1.8 TDCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,248 cm³	1,753 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	69–105 hp	75–125 hp
Production	2003–2024^[9][10][11]	2001–2014^[5][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	4	1
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	Critical severity: Breakage of the timing belt or of the high-pressure pump's belt (running in oil) Medium severity: Premature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch Medium severity: Delphi injector failure (leaks, cracks or poor spray pattern)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure^[3]	No reliable data
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]	1.8 TDCi 75/90/100 (entry-level tunes: Focus I and Transit Connect)^[6][7] 1.8 TDCi 110/115/125 (Focus II, C-Max, Mondeo, Galaxy, S-Max and Transit Connect)^{[6][7][8][14][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

1.3 Multijet

See the 22 models with the 1.3 Multijet

1.8 TDCi

See the 8 models with the 1.8 TDCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 1.8 TDCi

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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
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Mondeo 3 (1.8 TDCi 125ch)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 2 (1.8 TDCi 115ch)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · 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
Ford FocusWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Ford Transit ConnectWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Ford Focus Mk2: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Ford Mondeo Mk4: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Ford S-Max: Probleme und KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German