Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.5 dCi vs 1.6 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 1.5 dCi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The 1.5 dCi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear and seizure of the big-end bearings»; the 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage».

Risk index

1.5 dCi

63

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

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

29 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.5 dCi reliable?

The post-2010 1.5 dCi engines, especially the 90 hp, have a good record. The Euro 3 and Euro 4 units (2001-2010) carry serious faults: big-end bearings that can wreck the engine, a Delphi pump that fills the injection system with metal filings and, in some 105/110 hp versions, a timing belt and dual-mass flywheel that fail early.[1][2][3][4]

See the 8 of the 1.5 dCi faults

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 dCi and 1.6 dCi
1.5 dCi1.6 dCi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,461 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power55–116 hp95–165 hp
Productionsince 2001[1][9][10][11][12][13][14]2011–2020[6][15][16][17][18]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults85
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear and seizure of the big-end bearings
  2. Critical severity: Premature timing belt failure
  3. High severity: Delphi high-pressure pump that sheds filings and damages the injection
  1. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage
  2. High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover
  3. Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problemsPublished figure[19][20]up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[21]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 dCi Energy Euro 6 with NOx trap (90 and 110 hp, 2015-2018)[22][23][24]
  • 1.5 dCi in Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti (OM 607 / OM 608, 2012-2020)[14][25]
  • 1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)[16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 dCi Euro 4 (68/70, 85/86 and 105/106 hp, 2005-2010)[1][2][3][11]
  • 1.5 dCi Euro 5 with particulate filter (75, 90, 95 and 110 hp, 2010-2015)[1][3][26]
  • 1.5 Blue dCi with SCR and AdBlue (85, 95, 100 and 115 hp, from 2018)[23][27][28]
  • 1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)[5][6]
  • 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)[5][6][7][8][29]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[18]
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • 1.5 dCi Euro 3 (65, 80/82 and 100 hp, 2001-2005)[1][4]
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

1.5 dCi

See the 47 models with the 1.5 dCi

1.6 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 dCi

With the 1.6 dCi

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. Fiabilité du 1.5 dCiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Clio 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 26 November 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Renault Scénic 3 en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 February 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Maxi-fiche occasion : que vaut le Renault Scénic 2 en seconde main ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 29 October 2014 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Moteur K RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité Renault Mégane 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 25 November 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  12. Mercedes abandonne le 1.5 dCi Renault pour un moteur maison, qui émet plus de CO2 !Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 26 October 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  13. Nissan : le Qashqai reçoit un nouveau moteur dCiCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 14 September 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  14. Estos son los motores Renault que usa MercedesDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 22 December 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  19. Volante bimasa, averías y precio de sustituciónDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 3 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · published 17 October 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  21. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Fiabilité du Renault Kadjar : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité du Dacia Duster 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 27 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité du Renault Captur : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  25. Fiabilité des 180d / 180 CDI MercedesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  26. Fiabilité du Nissan Qashqai 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 22 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  27. Fiabilité du 1.5 Blue dCiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 18 May 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  28. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Renault Clio 5 : loin d'être irréprochableCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  29. Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish