1.6 dCi vs 1.4 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi carries less risk than the 1.6 dCi: 43/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202616 sources How 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 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 1.4 HDi
Item	1.6 dCi	1.4 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,399 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–165 hp	54–92 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][8][9][10][11]}	2001–2010^{[5][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve	Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape High severity: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure^[15]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)^[9]	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][16]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[11]	1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)^[6][7] 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)^[6][14]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	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

1.6 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 1.4 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.

Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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