1.6 TDI vs 2.2 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the 2.2 HDi: 45/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 2.2 HDi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.2 HDi

Moderate 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 202617 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 2.2 HDi reliable?

This is a diesel derived from the 2.0 HDi that PSA and Ford shared in large saloons and MPVs (407, 607, 807, C5, C6, C8) and that Land Rover and Ford used under their own names (TDCi, TD4, SD4) in the Mondeo IV, the Freelander 2 and the first Evoque. According to fiches-auto it does not suffer chronically from the turbo or dual-mass flywheel problems of smaller HDi engines, but the 128-138 hp version does have a recurring problem of DPF clogging.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.2 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and 2.2 HDi
Item	1.6 TDI	2.2 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	2,179 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–120 hp	128–204 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	2000–2015^{[5][7][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	High 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: DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version High severity: Turbo faults, somewhat more frequent on the sequential twin-turbo versions High severity: Piezo injector wear and failure
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[13][14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][15]	2.2 HDi 150-156 (single variable-geometry turbo, 2006-2012)^[16][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	2.2 HDi 128-138 (DW12 TED4, single turbo, 2000-2006)^[8] 2.2 HDi 170-175 twin-turbo (DW12 BTED4, 2005-2010)^[8][11] 2.2 HDi 190-204 twin-turbo (DW12 C, 2010-2015)^[11]
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

2.2 HDi

See the 13 models with the 2.2 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the 2.2 HDi

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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
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford MondeoWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 136 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Range Rover EvoqueWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 204 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai Citroën C5 Exclusive + 2.2 HDI 200 TourerActu Automobile · Motoring press · published 2011 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Essai Peugeot 4007 2.2 HDi DCS 6Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 7 April 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Citroën C-CrosserWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish