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1.5 BlueHDi vs 1.6 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the 1.5 BlueHDi: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 77/100 (very high risk). The 1.5 BlueHDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts»; the 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.5 BlueHDi

77

Very high risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 TDI

45

Moderate 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

26 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.5 BlueHDi reliable?

The 1.5 BlueHDi has a serious weak point in engines built from October 2017 to January 2023: the 7 mm chain linking the camshafts can stretch and break. Stellantis has recalled them and covers this fault for 10 years or 240,000 km; engines built up to August 2020 can also suffer AdBlue tank failures, with partial compensation from the manufacturer.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.5 BlueHDi faults

Is the 1.6 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) is one of the dieselgate engines: it needs the software update and, unlike the 2.0 TDI, an air flow stabiliser, on top of the typical EGR, particulate filter and turbo faults. The later EA288 (from 2012, 80-120 hp) is not singled out by the scandal, but it shares the need to keep an eye on the timing belt and the water pump.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.6 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 BlueHDi and 1.6 TDI
1.5 BlueHDi1.6 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,499 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power75–130 hp75–120 hp
Productionsince 2017[9][10][11][12][13][14]since 2009[7][8][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)77Very high risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts
  2. Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump failure
  3. High severity: Seizure of the high-pressure pump and injection system
  1. Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliser
  2. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  3. High severity: Variable-geometry turbo seized or with play
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,500AdBlue tank and pump failurePublished figure[4][16][17][18]up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure[19][20]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 BlueHDi with 8 mm chain (from February 2023)[2][21][22]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 BlueHDi 75-130 with 7 mm chain (October 2017 - January 2023)[24][25][26]
  • 1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)[5][6]
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

1.5 BlueHDi

See the 34 models with the 1.5 BlueHDi

1.6 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 BlueHDi

With the 1.6 TDI

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis rappelle 930 000 véhicules et étend la couverture à 10 ansL'argus · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  2. Llaman a revisión a miles de Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, DS y Fiat en España con el motor diésel 1.5 BlueHDiMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Réservoir AdBlue Stellantis. Quels changements dans l'indemnisation des clients français ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 21 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los depósitos AdBlue defectuososOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  8. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  9. Ford DLD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Motor DV5Oryx Parts · Technical documentation · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Opel Corsa F: Probleme mit dem Ölbad-Zahnriemen erklärtcarVertical · Other source · published 17 July 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. PSA 1.5L BlueHDi: a focus on the DV5 engineSumax · Technical documentation · published July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Timing Belt Kit & Water Pump for Peugeot 1.5 BlueHDi - DV5RLymm Engine Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. La OCU quiere tomar medidas ante los problemas del sistema de AdBlue de Citroën y Peugeotcoches.com · Motoring press · published 30 May 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Solución fallo AdBlue Peugeot, Citroën y Opel: evita cambiar el depósitoST Automoción · Other source · published 11 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Stellantis amplía las compensaciones por los problemas técnicos de sus depósitos AdBlueMinisterio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030 · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis rappelle plusieurs milliers de véhicules pour un problème d'injectionL'argus · Motoring press · published 14 March 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  22. Europa amplía la llamada a revisión por los graves problemas del motor 1.5 BlueHDi de StellantisAutonoción · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Cobertura especial para los 1.5 BlueHDi del Grupo Stellantiscoches.net · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  25. Casse chaîne 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis étend sa prise en charge à 7 ans ou 180 000 kmL'argus · Motoring press · published 15 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  26. Fiabilité moteur Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi. Une nouvelle huile pour éviter la casseL'argus · Motoring press · published 14 January 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French