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MotorFiable

1.3 Multijet vs Td5 2.5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Td5 2.5 carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 29/100 (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 Td5 2.5 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Cracked flywheel in the first Td5s (2000 recall)».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

64

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

Td5 2.5

29

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

18 sourcesHow 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 Td5 2.5 reliable?

The Td5 is the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder diesel fitted to the Defender from 1998 to 2007 (and to the Discovery II). Land Rover Hub considers it the best diesel the Defender ever had and as reliable as the Tdi; the documented issues are the flywheel recall on the first Td5s and contamination of the injector wiring.[5][6][7][8]

See the 2 of the Td5 2.5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and Td5 2.5
1.3 MultijetTd5 2.5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,248 cm³2,495 cm³
TimingChainGears
Power69–105 hp122–139 hp
Production2003–2024[9][10][11]1998–2007[12][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk29Moderate risk
Documented faults52
Of high or critical severity41
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
  2. High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution
  3. High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo
  1. High severity: Cracked flywheel in the first Td5s (2000 recall)
  2. Medium severity: Injector wiring contamination and Td5 control unit failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure[3]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • Td5 122 hp, 15P engines (Defender, 2002-2007)[5][7][8]
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]
  • Td5 122 hp, 10P engines (Defender, 1998-2002)[6][7][17]
  • Td5 139 hp (Discovery II, 1998-2004)[18]
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

1.3 Multijet

See the 26 models with the 1.3 Multijet

Td5 2.5

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the Td5 2.5

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. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
  5. Defender Engines ratedLand Rover Hub (Land Rover Monthly) · Motoring press · published 1 January 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Land Rover Defender: Engine Flywheel May Fragment (R/2000/038)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 5 June 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. How to buy a Land Rover 90, 110 & Defender (1983-2016)Haynes Manuals UK · Technical documentation · published January 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Land Rover Defender review: common repair issues (AA Mechanic)The AA · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Land Rover DiscoveryWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Land Rover DiscoveryWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. Land Rover Defender Buying GuideHeritage Parts Centre · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Land Rover Discovery: Engine Flywheel May Fragment (R/2000/038)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 5 June 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026