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TDV6 / SDV6 vs 1.2 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TDI carries less risk than the TDV6 / SDV6: 45/100 versus 46/100 (both moderate risk). The TDV6 / SDV6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells»; the 1.2 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump».

Risk index

TDV6 / SDV6

46

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 TDI

45

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

11 sourcesHow we work

Is the TDV6 / SDV6 reliable?

The Land Rover and Jaguar TDV6/SDV6 diesel V6 engines, shared with Peugeot and Citroën, have a serious documented fault: crankshaft and main bearing shells on the 3.0, and the belt-driven oil pump on the 2.7. Insist on a service history and weigh up the repair cost before buying.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the TDV6 / SDV6 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.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of TDV6 / SDV6 and 1.2 TDI
TDV6 / SDV61.2 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,720 cm³1,199 cm³
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Timing belt (dry)
Power188–302 hp75 hp
Production2004–2018[8]2009–2014[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)46Moderate risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells
  2. Critical severity: Broken oil pump housing and timing belt jumping on the 2.7
  3. Medium severity: Turbo and pneumatic actuator failure on the 3.0 TDV6/SDV6
  1. Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update
  2. High severity: Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump
  3. High severity: Failing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smoke
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €2,000Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)Published figure[9]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.7 TDV6 (276DT/DT17, 2004-2010)[3][10]
  • 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 (306DT, 2009-2018)[1][2]
  • 1.2 TDI common rail 75 hp (CFWA, 2009-2014)[4][11]
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

TDV6 / SDV6

See the 15 models with the TDV6 / SDV6

1.2 TDI

Other comparisons

With the TDV6 / SDV6

With the 1.2 TDI

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. Land Rover Discovery TDV6 engine failures making headlinesLandyOnline · Other source · published October 2015 · consulted 5 October 2026
  2. Land Rover & Jaguar SDV6/TDV6 Crankshaft RepairJLR Engines · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  3. Land Rover 2.7 TDV6 Timing Belt Replacement GuideBudget Parts (roverparts.eu) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  4. Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Volkswagen emissions scandalWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. TdV6 Timing BeltLes Richmond Automotive (lrautomotive.com.au) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  11. 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