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MotorFiable

1.6 dCi vs 2.3 dCi (M9T): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 dCi (M9T) carries less risk than the 1.6 dCi: 32/100 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

15 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.[5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
1.6 dCi2.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³2,300 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power95–165 hp100–180 hp
Production2011–2020[2][7][8][9][10]since 2010[5][6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults55
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: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo
  2. Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi
  3. Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[12]up to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure[5][13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)[8]
  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)[6]
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)[10]
  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)[15]
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

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  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
  15. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language