1.3 Multijet vs 1.7 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CDTI carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 36/100 (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 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

Moderate 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

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 1.7 CDTI reliable?

The 1.7 CDTI (Isuzu, 2003-2015) is a simple, widely used diesel, but it has built up accounts of soot-fouled EGR valves and injectors, a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) with oil dilution, wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and of the Hitachi-brand alternator; it also requires the timing belt to be changed every 150,000 km or 6 years to avoid a serious failure.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]}

See the 5 of the 1.7 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 1.7 CDTI
Item	1.3 Multijet	1.7 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,248 cm³	1,686 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	69–105 hp	100–130 hp
Production	2003–2024^[12][13][14]	2003–2015^[5][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	4	3
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: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time
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]	1.7 CDTI 100-101 hp (Z17DTH, 2003-2007)^[10][11] 1.7 CDTI 110 hp (Z17DTJ/A17DTJ/A17DTC/A17DTE, 2007-2014)^[10][11] 1.7 CDTI 125 hp (Z17DTR/A17DTR, 2006-2013)^[6][7] 1.7 CDTI 130 hp (A17DTS, 2010-2015)^[10][11]
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

1.7 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.7 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 1.7 CDTI

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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
Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German