1.6 TDI vs BMW B47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the BMW B47: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 73/100 (high risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW B47

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

Reviewed on 26 September 202612 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) is one of the dieselgate engines: it needs the software update and, unlike the 2.0 TDI, an air flow stabiliser, on top of the typical EGR, particulate filter and turbo faults. The later EA288 (from 2012, 80-120 hp) is not singled out by the scandal, but it shares the need to keep an eye on the timing belt and the water pump.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 TDI faults

Is the BMW B47 reliable?

The BMW B47 (since 2014, successor to the N47) improves the timing chain tensioner, guides and oil supply and greatly reduces the failure rate of its predecessor, but it is not free of problems: the EGR cooler has been the subject of several BMW technical campaigns for engine fire risk since 2018, and the turbo and particulate filter need careful maintenance.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the BMW B47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and BMW B47
Item	1.6 TDI	BMW B47
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	75–120 hp	114–228 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	since 2014^[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	73High risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliser High severity: Timing belt and water pump High severity: Variable-geometry turbo seized or with play	Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire High severity: Timing chain wear (improved, but is it really at the front?) High severity: Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenance
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[10][11]	up to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure^[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][12]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	B47 114-150 hp, single turbo (2014-)^[6][8] B47 168-190 hp, single turbo (2014-)^[6][8] B47 202-228 hp, twin-turbo (2015-)^[6][8] B47C20 (MINI Cooper D/SD and Countryman, 2014-)^[5][8]
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 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

BMW B47

See the 20 models with the BMW B47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the BMW B47

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.

Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
BMW B47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW B47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish