Skyactiv-D vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 38/100 (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 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

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 202620 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 CDTI reliable?

Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same era, the Opel/Vauxhall 2.0 CDTI (2008-2019, 110-210 hp with BiTurbo variants) is an engine with a timing belt rather than a chain. It builds up soot in the injectors and EGR valve, clogs its DPF on short journeys, has a recorded faulty turbo and one engine failure, and its models were among those investigated by Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor over a possible switching-off of the emissions treatment.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 2.0 CDTI
Item	Skyactiv-D	2.0 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,956 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	105–184 hp	110–210 hp
Production	since 2012^[1][11][12]	2008–2019^[5][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	55High risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	6
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	High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
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]	2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)^[6][20] 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)^[7][8] 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)^[6] 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)^[13]
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 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 2.0 CDTI

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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
Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel está de nuevo en el punto de mira por las emisiones con 60.000 coches afectadosMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 16 July 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
La Fiscalía alemana registra las instalaciones de Opel en el marco de una investigación sobre emisionesMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 October 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
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
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German