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MotorFiable

Skyactiv-D vs 1.7 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CDTI 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 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear».

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

36

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

21 sourcesHow 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 1.7 CDTI reliable?

The 1.7 CDTI (Isuzu, 2003-2015) is a simple, widely used diesel, but it has built up accounts of soot-fouled EGR valves and injectors, a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) with oil dilution, wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and of the Hitachi-brand alternator; it also requires the timing belt to be changed every 150,000 km or 6 years to avoid a serious failure.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the 5 of the 1.7 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 1.7 CDTI
Skyactiv-D1.7 CDTI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—1,686 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power105–184 hp100–130 hp
Productionsince 2012[1][12][13]2003–2015[5][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)55High risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity33
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations
  2. High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication
  3. Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
  1. High severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear
  2. High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution
  3. Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[2][16][17]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[3][18]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[4][19]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[4][20][21]
  • 1.7 CDTI 100-101 hp (Z17DTH, 2003-2007)[10][11]
  • 1.7 CDTI 110 hp (Z17DTJ/A17DTJ/A17DTC/A17DTE, 2007-2014)[10][11]
  • 1.7 CDTI 125 hp (Z17DTR/A17DTR, 2006-2013)[6][7]
  • 1.7 CDTI 130 hp (A17DTS, 2010-2015)[10][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

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

1.7 CDTI

See the 9 models with the 1.7 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 1.7 CDTI

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. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  18. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  21. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French