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MotorFiable

1.5 dCi vs 2.5 dCi YD25: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.5 dCi YD25 carries less risk than the 1.5 dCi: 59/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The 1.5 dCi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear and seizure of the big-end bearings»; the 2.5 dCi YD25 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain wear and failure».

Risk index

1.5 dCi

63

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 dCi YD25

59

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

24 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 2.5 dCi YD25 reliable?

The 2.5 dCi YD25 in the Navara D40 and Pathfinder R51 is tough, but it has one documented weak point: the lower timing chain, whose failure can destroy the engine. Check its condition, as well as the EGR and the turbo.[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 2.5 dCi YD25 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 dCi and 2.5 dCi YD25
1.5 dCi2.5 dCi YD25
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,461 cm³2,488 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power55–116 hp144–190 hp
Productionsince 2001[1][8][9][10][11][12][13]2005–2015[5][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk59High risk
Documented faults84
Of high or critical severity43
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Timing chain wear and failure
  2. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problemsPublished figure[16][17]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 dCi Energy Euro 6 with NOx trap (90 and 110 hp, 2015-2018)[18][19][20]
  • 1.5 dCi in Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti (OM 607 / OM 608, 2012-2020)[13][21]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 dCi Euro 4 (68/70, 85/86 and 105/106 hp, 2005-2010)[1][2][3][10]
  • 1.5 dCi Euro 5 with particulate filter (75, 90, 95 and 110 hp, 2010-2015)[1][3][22]
  • 1.5 Blue dCi with SCR and AdBlue (85, 95, 100 and 115 hp, from 2018)[19][23][24]
  • 2.5 dCi 144 and 174 hp (YD25DDTi, 2005-2010)[5][6]
  • 2.5 dCi 190 hp (YD25DDTi, 2010-2015)[5][6]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 dCi

With the 2.5 dCi YD25

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. 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. Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Nissan NavaraFarmers Weekly Interactive · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. YD25 Engine Guide: Specs, Reliability, Problems & Buying TipsAutopartswd · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Nissan Navara ProblemeCarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Moteur K RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Renault Mégane 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 25 November 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. 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
  12. Nissan : le Qashqai reçoit un nouveau moteur dCiCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 14 September 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  13. Estos son los motores Renault que usa MercedesDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 22 December 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Nissan YD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  15. Nissan NavaraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  16. Volante bimasa, averías y precio de sustituciónDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 3 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · published 17 October 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité du Renault Kadjar : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité du Dacia Duster 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 27 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité du Renault Captur : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  21. Fiabilité des 180d / 180 CDI MercedesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  22. Fiabilité du Nissan Qashqai 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 22 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité du 1.5 Blue dCiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 18 May 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  24. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Renault Clio 5 : loin d'être irréprochableCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French