Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.6 HDi vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.5 TDI R5 carries less risk than the 1.6 HDi: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 71/100 (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 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

1.6 HDi

71

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

45

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

31 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 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.[10][11][12]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 HDi and 2.5 TDI R5
1.6 HDi2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,560 cm³2,461 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power75–120 hp88–174 hp
Production2004–2019[4][6][13][14][15][16][17]2003–2011[18][19][20]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)71High risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults75
Of high or critical severity22
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: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders
  2. High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear
  3. Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,500Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)Estimate[1][21][22][23][24][25][26]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)[27][28]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 HDi 75/90 16V (DV6BTED4 / DV6ATED4, 2004-2011)[2][3][27]
  • 1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)[2][6][27]
  • 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][16][29]
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)[10]
  • 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)[20]
  • 2.5 TDI of the Transporter T4 (88, 102 and 151 hp, 1995-2003)[30][31]
AvoidVersions to avoidNone
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)[10]

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

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 HDi

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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. VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  11. Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  12. Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  13. Prueba de consumo (202): Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6-BlueHDi 120 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 24 December 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Peugeot DV6TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. Motor Peugeot DV6FDTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  19. VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  20. Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Turbo intercambio Garrett 753420 motor 1.6HDi 1.6TDCI 1.6DFG Automoción · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Turbo Garrett 753420 (GT1544V) para 1.6 HDI 110 CVAML Turbos · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Tubo de engrase PSA 1.6 HDI 110 CV + filtro (OP10049COMP)Electromotor Lantejuela · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. ¿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
  25. 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
  26. ¿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
  27. Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  28. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  29. Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  30. VW T4 im Gebraucht-Check: Darauf muss man achtenPromobil · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  31. VW T4 Buying Guide: Problem AreasHeritage Parts Centre · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026