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Skyactiv-D vs 1.9 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-D carries less risk than the 1.9 TDI: 55/100 versus 66/100 (both high risk). The Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations»; the 1.9 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Big-end bearing failure».

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 TDI

66

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

24 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 1.9 TDI reliable?

It depends a lot on the version. The rotary pump (1996-2003, codes ALH and AGR among others) has a reputation for great durability. The unit injector system (1999-2010) improves performance and emissions, but has more documented faults: dual-mass flywheel, turbo, EGR valve and, above all in the 105 hp version, cases of broken big-end bearings.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the 6 of the 1.9 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 1.9 TDI
Skyactiv-D1.9 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—1,896 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power105–184 hp75–150 hp
Productionsince 2012[1][12][13]1996–2010[5][14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)55High risk66High risk
Documented faults46
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. Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure
  2. High severity: Seized or broken variable-geometry turbo
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,500Premature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutchPublished figure[18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.9 TDI rotary pump (VP37, 1996-2003)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[2][19][20]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[3][21]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[4][22]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[4][23][24]
  • 1.9 TDI high-performance unit injector (101-150 hp, 1999-2003)[8][18]
  • 1.9 TDI unit injector 75-105 hp (2003-2010)[7][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

1.9 TDI

See the 20 models with the 1.9 TDI

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 1.9 TDI

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. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Les TDI sont-ils fiables ?fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 15 December 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf Vfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (1996-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Tous les problèmes sur Škoda Octavia (1997-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Tous les problèmes sur Škoda Octavia (2004-2012)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Volkswagen Golf IVWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Volkswagen Golf VWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Volkswagen TouranWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Volkswagen CaddyWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf IVfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  21. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French