Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.6 HDi vs BMW N47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 HDi carries less risk than the BMW N47: 71/100 (high risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The 1.6 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)»; the BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

1.6 HDi

71

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N47

87

Very 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

35 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 HDi reliable?

It is an efficient diesel, but its 16-valve versions (2004-2011) have a serious weak point: the turbo is starved of lubrication by carbon deposits from the oil, often made worse by leaks at the injector washers. The 8V engines (from 2010) improved, although you need to watch the 2010-2011 belt and the injectors, and on the BlueHDi the AdBlue tank.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 7 of the 1.6 HDi faults

Is the BMW N47 reliable?

The BMW N47 (2007-2016, including its MINI derivatives N47C16/N47C20) is mechanically sound in the basics, but it carries a serious, well-documented design flaw: the rear timing chain wears or breaks prematurely on many units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, with repairs from €1,500 to over €8,000 if the engine ends up damaged. Without a clear timing history, great caution is needed.[10][11][12][13]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 HDi and BMW N47
1.6 HDiBMW N47
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,560 cm³1,995 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power75–120 hp90–218 hp
Production2004–2019[4][6][14][15][16][17][18]2007–2016[10][19][20][21]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)71High risk87Very high risk
Documented faults75
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)
  2. High severity: Timing belt failure and premature wear
  3. Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi)
  1. Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage
  2. Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps
  3. High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,500Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)Estimate[1][22][23][24][25][26][27]up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure[28][29][30][31][32]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)[33][34]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 HDi 75/90 16V (DV6BTED4 / DV6ATED4, 2004-2011)[2][3][33]
  • 1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)[2][6][33]
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)[5][7]
  • 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019)[8][17][35]
  • N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)[10][13]
  • N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)[10][13]
  • N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)[10][13]
  • N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)[10][13]
  • N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)[20]
  • N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)[21]
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 HDi

See the 49 models with the 1.6 HDi

BMW N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 HDi

With the BMW N47

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. Häufige Schäden und die professionelle Reparatur (Turbolader PSA 1,6 HDi)Krafthand · Motoring press · published 6 June 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. Boletín de servicio: sustitución del turbo en motores DV6 (versión reducida de la Información de servicio nº 77)Turbotec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Diesel : la liste des pannes récurrentes des moteurs HDi, dCi, TDI... (1.6 HDi)L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 October 2014 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 110 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los coches con AdBlueOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. El Grupo PSA lanza la gama de motores Blue HDikm77 · Motoring press · published 16 September 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Prueba de consumo (202): Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6-BlueHDi 120 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 24 December 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Peugeot DV6TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Motor Peugeot DV6FDTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  21. N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  22. Turbo intercambio Garrett 753420 motor 1.6HDi 1.6TDCI 1.6DFG Automoción · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Turbo Garrett 753420 (GT1544V) para 1.6 HDI 110 CVAML Turbos · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Tubo de engrase PSA 1.6 HDI 110 CV + filtro (OP10049COMP)Electromotor Lantejuela · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  25. ¿Cuál es el precio de la mano de obra en los talleres de las 10 marcas más vendidas en España?km77 · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  26. La doble tarifa de la mano de obra en los talleres españoles: lo que dice su tablón vs. lo que realmente ingresanInfotaller · Motoring press · published June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. ¿Estás cobrando lo justo en tu taller? Así está la mano de obra por hora en 2025Infotaller · Motoring press · published 9 September 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  28. Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  29. Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  30. Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  31. Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  32. Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  33. Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  34. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  35. Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French