2.3 MultiJet vs 1.2 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 MultiJet carries less risk than the 1.2 TDI: 25/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.3 MultiJet has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017)»; the 1.2 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump».

Risk index

2.3 MultiJet

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 9 October 202618 sources How we work

Is the 2.3 MultiJet reliable?

The 2.3 MultiJet (F1A) in the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily has few faults with a solid source: the best documented are three campaigns on the 2016-2019 Euro 6 Ducato (intercooler hose, EGR pipe and camshaft). Owners and garages also cite EGR, throttle body, injectors and AdBlue, almost always on forums or commercial websites, with no statistics.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

See the 6 of the 2.3 MultiJet faults

Is the 1.2 TDI reliable?

A three-cylinder diesel with a single homologated output (75 hp) that Volkswagen fitted to the low-consumption versions of its smallest models between 2009 and 2014. It belongs to the EA189 family and was added to the list of engines in the emissions scandal a few days later. Its timing belt also drives the water pump and the high-pressure pump, so do not put off replacing it; also keep an eye on the turbo, the EGR and the particulate filter.^{[8][9][10][11]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 MultiJet and 1.2 TDI
Item	2.3 MultiJet	1.2 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,287 cm³	1,199 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–160 hp	75 hp
Production	since 2002^{[12][13][14][15]}	2009–2014^[10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017) Medium severity: EGR valve and throttle body clogged by carbon deposits and moisture Medium severity: Leaking or underperforming common-rail injectors	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump High severity: Failing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smoke
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €2,000Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	First-batch 2.3 Multijet / HPI (F1AE0481, 2006-2011)^[5][15] 2.3 Multijet II Euro 5 (F1AE3481, 2010-2016)^[5][17] 2.3 Multijet Euro 6 with dual EGR (Ducato, 2016-2019)^[1][2][3][6] 2.3 Multijet 2 Euro 6d with AdBlue (Ducato, 2019-2021)^[7] 2.3 F1A in the Iveco Daily VI (2014-present)^[3]	1.2 TDI common rail 75 hp (CFWA, 2009-2014)^[8][18]
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

2.3 MultiJet

1.2 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 2.3 MultiJet

With the 1.2 TDI

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Sources

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

Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): manguito del intercooler (alerta Safety Gate A12/0285/18)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 23 February 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): tubo de la EGR (alerta Safety Gate A12/1794/17)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 16 December 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Camshaft fault sparks Fiat Ducato recallUte and Van Guide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 7 March 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
Ducato multijet 2.3 starting problem (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 3 May 2014 · consulted 8 October 2026
Ducato P0401 P0402 P0236 P0238 and limp mode, 2017 Euro 6 (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 5 December 2021 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiat Ducato 2.3 MultiJet: AdBlue, SCR y modo de emergencia (diagnóstico)KFZ Dietrich (taller, Alemania) · Other source · published 10 September 2026 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Volkswagen emissions scandalWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat DucatoWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat Ducato (tipo 250, motores Multijet y Euro 6)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Iveco Daily (motores HPI/F1A por generación)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Iveco Daily IV 35C12 2.3 HPI: fiabilidadCarverif · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat Ducato and variants 2007 onCATMAG · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026
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 27 September 2026 · in Spanish