Skyactiv-D vs 2.0 CDI (OM640): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDI (OM640) carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations»; the 2.0 CDI (OM640) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Costly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearbox».

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CDI (OM640)

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202619 sources How we work

Is the Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Is the 2.0 CDI (OM640) reliable?

The OM640 is the 2.0 CDI four-cylinder diesel that Mercedes-Benz fitted between 2004 and 2012 to the A-Class (W169) and B-Class (W245), with outputs from 82 to 140 hp (160/180/200 CDI). Its mechanical base is considered reliable, with the EGR valve and the injectors being typical weak points of diesels of that era; the problem owners cite most, however, is the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearbox, optional on the 180 CDI and 200 CDI.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.0 CDI (OM640) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 2.0 CDI (OM640)
Item	Skyactiv-D	2.0 CDI (OM640)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,991 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	105–184 hp	82–140 hp
Production	since 2012^[1][9][10]	2004–2012^{[5][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	55High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear	Critical severity: Costly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearbox High severity: Premature turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with soot
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)^[2][14][15] 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)^[3][16] 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)^[4][17] 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)^[4][18][19]	160 CDI (60 kW/82 hp, A-Class only)^[6][12] 180 CDI (80 kW/109 hp)^[6][7] 200 CDI (103 kW/140 hp)^[6][8]
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

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

2.0 CDI (OM640)

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 2.0 CDI (OM640)

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Sources

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

SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mercedes-Benz OM 640Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mercedes A-Klasse (W169) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité des 180d / 180 CDI MercedesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité 200 CDI MercedesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes-Benz OM640 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes-Benz W169Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz W245Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French