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1.6 CRDi vs 1.2 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TDI carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 70/100 (high risk). The 1.6 CRDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)»; the 1.2 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 CRDi reliable?

The U2 D4FB (2009-2018) is a generally robust diesel if well maintained, with known turbo failures in the early units and timing chain problems from 120,000-150,000 km. Its successor, the Smartstream (U3 D4FE, from 2018), has a good reputation, except in the 48V mild hybrid version, which has a belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley fault that can destroy the engine.[1][2][3]

See the 6 of the 1.6 CRDi faults

Is the 1.2 TDI reliable?

A three-cylinder diesel with a single homologated output (75 hp) that Volkswagen fitted to the low-consumption versions of its smallest models between 2009 and 2014. It belongs to the EA189 family and was added to the list of engines in the emissions scandal a few days later. Its timing belt also drives the water pump and the high-pressure pump, so do not put off replacing it; also keep an eye on the turbo, the EGR and the particulate filter.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 1.2 TDI
1.6 CRDi1.2 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³1,199 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp75 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][8][9][10]2009–2014[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch
  3. High severity: Premature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failure
  1. Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update
  2. High severity: Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump
  3. High severity: Failing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smoke
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[11]up to €2,000Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)Published figure[12]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][13]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][14][15]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][16]
  • 1.2 TDI common rail 75 hp (CFWA, 2009-2014)[4][17]
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

1.6 CRDi

See the 16 models with the 1.6 CRDi

1.2 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 1.2 TDI

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. Motor Kia y Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB): ficha tecnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Kia Ceed III: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. Kia / Hyundai 1.6 CRDi MHEV Engine FailuresDOHC (especialista en reconstrucción de motores) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Volkswagen emissions scandalWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Hyundai i30 Kombi 1.6 CRDi 48V-Mildhybrid Trend (10/20-01/22): Technische Daten, Bilder, PreiseADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  14. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. 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 27 September 2026 · in Spanish