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MotorFiable

Skyactiv-D vs 1.5 D (TUD5): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 D (TUD5) carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 19/100 (low 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 1.5 D (TUD5) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 D (TUD5)

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

20 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 1.5 D (TUD5) reliable?

A small indirect-injection diesel, slow but simple, with a good reputation for durability once its early problems are behind it. Its documented weak point is the cylinder head gasket, with oil leaks that PSA corrected in stages between 1995 and 1998; other issues (high idle, pump leaks, glow plug connector) are occasional.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.5 D (TUD5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 1.5 D (TUD5)
Skyactiv-D1.5 D (TUD5)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power105–184 hp50–58 hp
Productionsince 2012[1][8][9]1988–2004[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)55High risk19Low risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity30
Worst severityCritical severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft seal
  2. Medium severity: Injection pump: high idle and leaks
  3. Low severity: Glow plug faults: corroded connector and glow plugs
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][13][14]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[3][15]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[4][16]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[4][17][18]
  • 1.4 D 50 hp (TUD3Y, 1993-1994 on the 106)[5][7]
  • 1.5 D 54-58 hp (TUD5: VJZ, VJY and VJX, 1994-2003)[5][19][20]
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

1.5 D (TUD5)

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 1.5 D (TUD5)

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. Peugeot 106: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Citroën Saxo: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Quelle citadine d'occasion choisir ?L'argus · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  8. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. PSA TUD engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Peugeot 106Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Peugeot 106 1.5 D 58 ch: fiabilité du moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  13. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité Peugeot 106: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Citroën Saxo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French