Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.6 dCi vs 1.5 D (TUD5): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 D (TUD5) carries less risk than the 1.6 dCi: 19/100 (low risk) versus 48/100 (moderate risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 1.5 D (TUD5) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 D (TUD5)

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

18 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 1.5 D (TUD5) reliable?

A small indirect-injection diesel, slow but simple, with a good reputation for durability once its early problems are behind it. Its documented weak point is the cylinder head gasket, with oil leaks that PSA corrected in stages between 1995 and 1998; other issues (high idle, pump leaks, glow plug connector) are occasional.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.5 D (TUD5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 1.5 D (TUD5)
1.6 dCi1.5 D (TUD5)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power95–165 hp50–58 hp
Production2011–2020[2][8][9][10][11]1988–2004[12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk19Low risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityHigh severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft seal
  2. Medium severity: Injection pump: high idle and leaks
  3. Low severity: Glow plug faults: corroded connector and glow plugs
Most expensive documented repairup 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 D 50 hp (TUD3Y, 1993-1994 on the 106)[5][7]
  • 1.5 D 54-58 hp (TUD5: VJZ, VJY and VJX, 1994-2003)[5][17][18]
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

1.5 D (TUD5)

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 1.5 D (TUD5)

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. Peugeot 106: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Citroën Saxo: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Quelle citadine d'occasion choisir ?L'argus · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  8. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Renault TraficWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. PSA TUD engineWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Peugeot 106Wikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Peugeot 106 1.5 D 58 ch: fiabilité du moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  15. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. 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
  17. Fiabilité Peugeot 106: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Citroën Saxo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French