1.7 CDTI vs 2.0 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CDTI carries less risk than the 2.0 dCi: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear»; the 2.0 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 dCi

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202619 sources How we work

Is the 1.7 CDTI reliable?

The 1.7 CDTI (Isuzu, 2003-2015) is a simple, widely used diesel, but it has built up accounts of soot-fouled EGR valves and injectors, a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) with oil dilution, wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and of the Hitachi-brand alternator; it also requires the timing belt to be changed every 150,000 km or 6 years to avoid a serious failure.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

See the 5 of the 1.7 CDTI faults

Is the 2.0 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^{[8][9][10][11]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.7 CDTI and 2.0 dCi
Item	1.7 CDTI	2.0 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,686 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	100–130 hp	90–177 hp
Production	2003–2015^[1][12][13]	2005–2016^{[14][15][16][17]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	52High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.7 CDTI 100-101 hp (Z17DTH, 2003-2007)^[6][7] 1.7 CDTI 110 hp (Z17DTJ/A17DTJ/A17DTC/A17DTE, 2007-2014)^[6][7] 1.7 CDTI 125 hp (Z17DTR/A17DTR, 2006-2013)^[2][3] 1.7 CDTI 130 hp (A17DTS, 2010-2015)^[6][7]	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[8][9][11] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[9][10][18] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[19]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.7 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.7 CDTI

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.7 CDTI

With the 2.0 dCi

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.

Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026