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MotorFiable

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

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 1.6 HDi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 71/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 1.6 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 HDi

71

High risk · 2 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

33 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Is the 1.6 HDi reliable?

It is an efficient diesel, but its 16-valve versions (2004-2011) have a serious weak point: the turbo is starved of lubrication by carbon deposits from the oil, often made worse by leaks at the injector washers. The 8V engines (from 2010) improved, although you need to watch the 2010-2011 belt and the injectors, and on the BlueHDi the AdBlue tank.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

See the 7 of the 1.6 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 1.6 HDi
1.6 dCi1.6 HDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³1,560 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power95–165 hp75–120 hp
Production2011–2020[2][14][15][16][17]2004–2019[8][10][18][19][20][21][22]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk71High risk
Documented faults57
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)
  2. High severity: Timing belt failure and premature wear
  3. Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi)
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[23]up to €1,500Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)Estimate[5][24][25][26][27][28][29]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)[15]
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)[30][31]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)[1][2]
  • 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)[1][2][3][4][32]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[17]
  • 1.6 HDi 75/90 16V (DV6BTED4 / DV6ATED4, 2004-2011)[6][7][30]
  • 1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)[6][10][30]
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)[9][11]
  • 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019)[12][21][33]
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 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

1.6 HDi

See the 49 models with the 1.6 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 1.6 HDi

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 Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Häufige Schäden und die professionelle Reparatur (Turbolader PSA 1,6 HDi)Krafthand · Motoring press · published 6 June 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. Boletín de servicio: sustitución del turbo en motores DV6 (versión reducida de la Información de servicio nº 77)Turbotec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Diesel : la liste des pannes récurrentes des moteurs HDi, dCi, TDI... (1.6 HDi)L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 October 2014 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 110 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  12. OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los coches con AdBlueOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. El Grupo PSA lanza la gama de motores Blue HDikm77 · Motoring press · published 16 September 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. Prueba de consumo (202): Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6-BlueHDi 120 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 24 December 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Peugeot DV6TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  21. Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  22. Motor Peugeot DV6FDTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Turbo intercambio Garrett 753420 motor 1.6HDi 1.6TDCI 1.6DFG Automoción · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  25. Turbo Garrett 753420 (GT1544V) para 1.6 HDI 110 CVAML Turbos · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  26. Tubo de engrase PSA 1.6 HDI 110 CV + filtro (OP10049COMP)Electromotor Lantejuela · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. ¿Cuál es el precio de la mano de obra en los talleres de las 10 marcas más vendidas en España?km77 · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  28. La doble tarifa de la mano de obra en los talleres españoles: lo que dice su tablón vs. lo que realmente ingresanInfotaller · Motoring press · published June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  29. ¿Estás cobrando lo justo en tu taller? Así está la mano de obra por hora en 2025Infotaller · Motoring press · published 9 September 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  30. Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  31. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  32. 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
  33. Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French