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MotorFiable

Skyactiv-D vs 2.3 dCi (M9T): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 dCi (M9T) carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 32/100 (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 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

32

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

17 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.[5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
Skyactiv-D2.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—2,300 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power105–184 hp100–180 hp
Productionsince 2012[1][7][8]since 2010[5][6][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)55High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityHigh 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: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo
  2. Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi
  3. Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure[5][10]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[2][11][12]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[3][13]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[4][14]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[4][15][16]
  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)[17]
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

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  10. Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  11. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language