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2.0 HDi vs 1.6 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 CDTI carries less risk than the 2.0 HDi: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 2.0 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)»; the 1.6 CDTI has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Noise and early wear of the timing chain and its tensioner».

Risk index

2.0 HDi

55

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 CDTI

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.0 HDi reliable?

It is a robust diesel in its simplest 90 hp version, but the 136 to 140 hp generation with a DPF (2004-2011) concentrates the engine's problems: turbo, DPF, EGR and, above all, a dual-mass flywheel that fails very often. The BlueHDi engines (from 2013) are mechanically more reliable, but add an AdBlue tank that can crystallise; the OCU (Spanish consumer organisation) has reported this fault in Spain and Stellantis covers it with a compensation programme.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 2.0 HDi faults

Is the 1.6 CDTI reliable?

The Opel/Vauxhall 1.6 CDTI (2013-2020, 95-160 hp) has no design fault acknowledged by the manufacturer, but it has built up reports of early wear of the timing chain and its tensioner, two episodes (2016 and 2018) of German investigation into a possible EGR valve shut-off, and AdBlue system faults on its Euro 6 versions.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the 3 of the 1.6 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 HDi and 1.6 CDTI
2.0 HDi1.6 CDTI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,997 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power90–180 hp95–160 hp
Production1999–2021[1][12][13][14][15]2013–2020[5][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)55High risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)
  2. High severity: DPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine)
  3. Medium severity: Premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)
  1. High severity: Noise and early wear of the timing chain and its tensioner
  2. Medium severity: Suspected software shut-off of the EGR valve (emissions investigation)
  3. Medium severity: AdBlue (SCR) system failure on Euro 6 versions
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200AdBlue tank crystallisation and failures (BlueHDi)Published figure[3][4][11]up to €2,000AdBlue (SCR) system failure on Euro 6 versionsPublished figure[11][17]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.0 HDi 90 (DW10TD, 1999-2005)[1]
  • 2.0 HDi 150/163 DPF (DW10C / DW10CTED4, 2007-2013)[1]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)[1]
  • 2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)[1]
  • 2.0 BlueHDi 120/150/163/180 (DW10FE / DW10FD / DW10FC, 2013-2021)[1][2][3][4]
  • 1.6 CDTI 95 hp (B16DTE/B16DTU, 2014-2018)[9][10]
  • 1.6 CDTI 108-110 hp (B16DTL/B16DTN/B16DTU/D16DTI, 2014-2019)[10]
  • 1.6 CDTI 120-122 hp (B16DTJ/B16DTC, 2014-2018)[6][7][8]
  • 1.6 CDTI Turbo ecoFLEX 134-136 hp (B16DTH, 2013-2020)[6][10]
  • 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI ecoFLEX 150-160 hp (B16DTR/D16DTR, 2015-2019)[9][16]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

2.0 HDi

See the 19 models with the 2.0 HDi

1.6 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.6 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 HDi

With the 1.6 CDTI

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.

  1. Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. AdBlue : problèmes en pagailleFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Más problemas para Stellantis: ahora tendrá que indemnizar también a los afectados por el AdBlueAutopista · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. El fallo que afecta a cientos de coches y que ahora la OCU denuncia para reclamar indemnizacionesAutopista · Motoring press · published 29 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. GM Medium Diesel engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Opel, acusada de desconectar la válvula EGR de su modelo Zafira ¿aumentando las emisiones de NOx?Motorpasión · Motoring press · published 19 May 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Opel está de nuevo en el punto de mira por las emisiones con 60.000 coches afectadosMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 16 July 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. La Fiscalía alemana registra las instalaciones de Opel en el marco de una investigación sobre emisionesMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 October 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Fiabilité Opel Astra 5 (K) - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Opel Mokka X - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. El aditivo de AdBlue que debes usar para evitar una reparación de 2.000 euros en tu coche diéselAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 1 April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Peugeot 307Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Peugeot 3008Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Citroën C4 PicassoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Opel Astra KWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Twin dosing en diésel: el fallo que dispara una avería de más de 1.000 euros en el tallerMotor16 · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish