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MotorFiable

Td5 2.5 vs 2.3 dCi (M9T): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Td5 2.5 carries less risk than the 2.3 dCi (M9T): 29/100 versus 32/100 (both moderate risk). The Td5 2.5 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Cracked flywheel in the first Td5s (2000 recall)»; the 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

Td5 2.5

29

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

32

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the Td5 2.5 reliable?

The Td5 is the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder diesel fitted to the Defender from 1998 to 2007 (and to the Discovery II). Land Rover Hub considers it the best diesel the Defender ever had and as reliable as the Tdi; the documented issues are the flywheel recall on the first Td5s and contamination of the injector wiring.[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the Td5 2.5 faults

Is the 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.[5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Td5 2.5 and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
Td5 2.52.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,495 cm³2,300 cm³
TimingGearsChain
Power122–139 hp100–180 hp
Production1998–2007[7][8][9][10][11]since 2010[5][6][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)29Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Cracked flywheel in the first Td5s (2000 recall)
  2. Medium severity: Injector wiring contamination and Td5 control unit failure
  1. High severity: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo
  2. Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi
  3. Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure[5][13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Td5 122 hp, 15P engines (Defender, 2002-2007)[1][3][4]
  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • Td5 122 hp, 10P engines (Defender, 1998-2002)[2][3][14]
  • Td5 139 hp (Discovery II, 1998-2004)[15]
  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)[16]
  • 2.3 OM 699 in the Mercedes X-Class, 163 and 190 hp (2017-2020)[6][17]
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

Td5 2.5

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the Td5 2.5

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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. Defender Engines ratedLand Rover Hub (Land Rover Monthly) · Motoring press · published 1 January 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Land Rover Defender: Engine Flywheel May Fragment (R/2000/038)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 5 June 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. How to buy a Land Rover 90, 110 & Defender (1983-2016)Haynes Manuals UK · Technical documentation · published January 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Land Rover Defender review: common repair issues (AA Mechanic)The AA · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Land Rover DiscoveryWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Land Rover DiscoveryWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  12. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  14. Land Rover Defender Buying GuideHeritage Parts Centre · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Land Rover Discovery: Engine Flywheel May Fragment (R/2000/038)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 5 June 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language
  17. Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse: motores OM 699 y OM 642, producción en BarcelonaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German