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MotorFiable

1.6 CDTI 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 1.6 CDTI: 32/100 versus 36/100 (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 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

1.6 CDTI

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

14 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 2.3 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.[8][9]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CDTI and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
1.6 CDTI2.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³2,300 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power95–160 hp100–180 hp
Production2013–2020[1][10]since 2010[8][9][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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: 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 repairup to €2,000AdBlue (SCR) system failure on Euro 6 versionsPublished figure[7][12]up to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure[8][13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)[9]
  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)[9]
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][10]
  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)[9]
  • 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)[14]
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

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CDTI

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. 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. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  10. Opel Astra KWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. 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
  13. Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  14. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language