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1.3 Multijet vs OM654: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the OM654 carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 63/100 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 OM654 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain wear or breakage (2016 to 2021 units)».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

64

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

OM654

63

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

12 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 OM654 reliable?

The OM654 is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with which Mercedes-Benz replaced the OM651 from 2016, fitted to most of its passenger cars and mid-size vans. It has a reputation for reliability: we found no mechanical faults as serious and widespread as on the brand's earlier diesels, although there were recalls for the timing chain (units from 2016 to 2021) and the coolant pump, and the NOx sensor or AdBlue system fail with some frequency.[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the OM654 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and OM654
1.3 MultijetOM654
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,248 cm³1,950 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power69–105 hp116–272 hp
Production2003–2024[9][10][11]since 2016[5][6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk63High risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity43
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage (2016 to 2021 units)
  2. Critical severity: Leak in the vacuum-operated coolant pump (overheating risk)
  3. High severity: Wear of the turbocharger and charge-air intercooler
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure[3]up to €850NOx sensor failure and SCR/AdBlue system warningsPublished figure[8][12]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
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]
  • OM654 first generation (2016-2021)[7][8]
  • OM654 M, with 48 V mild hybrid (since 2021)[7][8][12]
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 20 models with the 1.3 Multijet

OM654

See the 9 models with the OM654

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the OM654

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. Mercedes-Benz OM654 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Mercedes-Benz OM 654Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253): Alle typischen Probleme & MängelGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe E (2016-2023)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  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. Fiabilité Mercedes GLC (2015-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French