MZR-CD vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the MZR-CD carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 64/100 versus 67/100 (both high risk). The MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD»; the 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

MZR-CD

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 dCi

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202621 sources How we work

Is the MZR-CD reliable?

The MZR-CD is Mazda's most widespread diesel between 2002 and 2013, fitted to the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda5 and CX-7. It is sensitive to short journeys: the injector seals and incomplete DPF regenerations can dilute the oil, and the EGR and intake build up carbon. The 2.2-litre redesign (from 2008), with a timing chain instead of a belt, adds the risk of that chain stretching and damaging the engine.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the MZR-CD faults

Is the 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of MZR-CD and 1.9 dCi
Item	MZR-CD	1.9 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,870 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	105–185 hp	80–130 hp
Production	2002–2013^{[10][11][12][13][14]}	1999–2011^[15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	67High risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection 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	2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)^[1][3][18] 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)^{[1][3][18][19]} 2.2 MZR-CD 125-185 (R2, 2008-2013)^{[2][4][20][21]}	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[7] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[7] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[5][6]
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

MZR-CD

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

Other comparisons

With the MZR-CD

With the 1.9 dCi

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Sources

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

Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 3 II (2009-2013): Typische Probleme & Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German