1.6 TDI vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

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 27 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 Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and Skyactiv-D
Item	1.6 TDI	Skyactiv-D
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	75–120 hp	105–184 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	since 2012^[5][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	55High 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	High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[12][13]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][14]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)^[6][15][16] 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)^[7][17] 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)^[8][18] 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)^[8][19][20]
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

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the Skyactiv-D

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
SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 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
Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French