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

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the BMW N47: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N47

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

Reviewed on 26 September 202620 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 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and BMW N47
Item	1.6 TDI	BMW N47
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	75–120 hp	90–218 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	2007–2016^{[5][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	87Very high risk
Documented faults	5	5
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: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[13][14]	up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^{[15][16][17][18][19]}
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][20]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)^[5][8] N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)^[5][8] N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)^[5][8] N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)^[5][8] N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)^[11] N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)^[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 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

BMW N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the BMW N47

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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.

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 N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · 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
Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · 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