2.3 MultiJet vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 MultiJet carries less risk than the 2.5 TDI R5: 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 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

2.3 MultiJet

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

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 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.^[8][9][10]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 MultiJet and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	2.3 MultiJet	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,287 cm³	2,461 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–160 hp	88–174 hp
Production	since 2002^{[11][12][13][14]}	2003–2011^[15][16][17]
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	Critical 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	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	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	First-batch 2.3 Multijet / HPI (F1AE0481, 2006-2011)^[5][14] 2.3 Multijet II Euro 5 (F1AE3481, 2010-2016)^[5][18] 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]	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)^[8] 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)^[17]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)^[8]

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

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 2.3 MultiJet

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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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
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 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
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
Fiat Ducato and variants 2007 onCATMAG · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026