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1.6 CDTI vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 CDTI carries less risk than the 2.0 CDTI: 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 CDTI has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Noise and early wear of the timing chain and its tensioner»; the 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

1.6 CDTI

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

38

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 CDTI reliable?

The Opel/Vauxhall 1.6 CDTI (2013-2020, 95-160 hp) has no design fault acknowledged by the manufacturer, but it has built up reports of early wear of the timing chain and its tensioner, two episodes (2016 and 2018) of German investigation into a possible EGR valve shut-off, and AdBlue system faults on its Euro 6 versions.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.6 CDTI 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.[3][4][8][9][10][11]

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CDTI and 2.0 CDTI
1.6 CDTI2.0 CDTI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³1,956 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power95–160 hp110–210 hp
Production2013–2020[1][12]2008–2019[8][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults36
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Noise and early wear of the timing chain and its tensioner
  2. Medium severity: Suspected software shut-off of the EGR valve (emissions investigation)
  3. Medium severity: AdBlue (SCR) system failure on Euro 6 versions
  1. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  2. Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve
  3. Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000AdBlue (SCR) system failure on Euro 6 versionsPublished figure[7][14]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CDTI 95 hp (B16DTE/B16DTU, 2014-2018)[5][6]
  • 1.6 CDTI 108-110 hp (B16DTL/B16DTN/B16DTU/D16DTI, 2014-2019)[6]
  • 1.6 CDTI 120-122 hp (B16DTJ/B16DTC, 2014-2018)[2][3][4]
  • 1.6 CDTI Turbo ecoFLEX 134-136 hp (B16DTH, 2013-2020)[2][6]
  • 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI ecoFLEX 150-160 hp (B16DTR/D16DTR, 2015-2019)[5][12]
  • 2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)[9][15]
  • 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)[10][11]
  • 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)[9]
  • 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)[13]
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

1.6 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.6 CDTI

2.0 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CDTI

With the 2.0 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. GM Medium Diesel engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Opel, acusada de desconectar la válvula EGR de su modelo Zafira ¿aumentando las emisiones de NOx?Motorpasión · Motoring press · published 19 May 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Fiabilité Opel Astra 5 (K) - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Opel Mokka X - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. El aditivo de AdBlue que debes usar para evitar una reparación de 2.000 euros en tu coche diéselAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 1 April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Opel Astra KWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Twin dosing en diésel: el fallo que dispara una avería de más de 1.000 euros en el tallerMotor16 · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German