1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.5 TDI R5 carries less risk than the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations»; the 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

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 5 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II reliable?

The 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II are Fiat diesels with a solid mechanical base, but with known faults worth checking before you buy: the timing belt tensioner may need replacing before the official interval, the EGR valve clogs with urban use, the particulate filter becomes saturated if there are not enough long journeys, and the dual-mass flywheel and the occasional injector wear with mileage. There is no officially recognised recall campaign for these faults.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II faults

Is the 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,461 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	90–170 hp	88–174 hp
Production	since 2006^[8][9][10]	2003–2011^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations Critical severity: Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot in urban use	Critical severity: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €550Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failurePublished figure^[1]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 MultiJet II (90-130 hp, 2006-2024)^[1][2] 2.0 MultiJet II (120-170 hp, 2008-2024)^[3][4]	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)^[5] 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)^[13]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)^[5]

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 and 2.0 MultiJet II

See the 11 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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.

Fiat Tipo: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade (seit 2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 2 March 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiat Bravo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat Bravo (2007)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade (BU)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish