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1.6 dCi vs BMW B47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the BMW B47: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 73/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

14 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 BMW B47 reliable?

The BMW B47 (since 2014, successor to the N47) improves the timing chain tensioner, guides and oil supply and greatly reduces the failure rate of its predecessor, but it is not free of problems: the EGR cooler has been the subject of several BMW technical campaigns for engine fire risk since 2018, and the turbo and particulate filter need careful maintenance.[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the BMW B47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and BMW B47
1.6 dCiBMW B47
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³1,995 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power95–165 hp114–228 hp
Production2011–2020[2][9][10][11][12]since 2014[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk73High risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical 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. Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire
  2. High severity: Timing chain wear (improved, but is it really at the front?)
  3. High severity: Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenance
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[13]up to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)[10]
None
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][14]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[12]
  • B47 114-150 hp, single turbo (2014-)[6][8]
  • B47 168-190 hp, single turbo (2014-)[6][8]
  • B47 202-228 hp, twin-turbo (2015-)[6][8]
  • B47C20 (MINI Cooper D/SD and Countryman, 2014-)[5][8]
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

BMW B47

See the 20 models with the BMW B47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the BMW B47

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 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. BMW B47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  6. 324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Motor BMW B47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. 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