1.6 dCi vs 2.0 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 2.0 dCi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 2.0 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 dCi

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202619 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 2.0 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 2.0 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 2.0 dCi
Item	1.6 dCi	2.0 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	95–165 hp	90–177 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][9][10][11][12]}	2005–2016^{[13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	52High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical 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	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure^[17]	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)^[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][18]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[12]	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[5][6][8] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[6][7][19] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[12]
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

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 2.0 dCi

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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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
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-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
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French