2.0 TDI vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the 2.0 TDI: 38/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI»; the 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202623 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2008-2015) is the dieselgate engine: it needed a software update and has a record of EGR, particulate filter, turbo and injection faults. The earlier pumpe-düse (unit injector) engine has oil pump failures, and on the EA288 and EA288 evo (from 2012) the known faults are minor: coolant leaks and the odd AdBlue tank.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 8 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Is the 2.0 CDTI reliable?

Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same era, the Opel/Vauxhall 2.0 CDTI (2008-2019, 110-210 hp with BiTurbo variants) is an engine with a timing belt rather than a chain. It builds up soot in the injectors and EGR valve, clogs its DPF on short journeys, has a recorded faulty turbo and one engine failure, and its models were among those investigated by Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor over a possible switching-off of the emissions treatment.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and 2.0 CDTI
Item	2.0 TDI	2.0 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,968 cm³	1,956 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	84–240 hp	110–210 hp
Production	since 2003^{[1][13][14][15][16]}	2008–2019^[7][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	8	6
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189	High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure^[3][18][19]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[5] 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)^[6]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)^[4][20] 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)^[3][21][22]	2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)^[8][23] 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)^[9][10] 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)^[8] 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)^[17]
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

2.0 TDI

See the 51 models with the 2.0 TDI

2.0 CDTI

Other comparisons

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With the 2.0 CDTI

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
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
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor SymposiumVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 27 April 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German