Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.7 CDTI vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CDTI carries less risk than the D5 5 cilindros: 36/100 versus 39/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

36

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

39

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

16 sourcesHow 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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.[8][9][10]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.7 CDTI and D5 5 cilindros
1.7 CDTID5 5 cilindros
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,686 cm³2,400 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power100–130 hp126–215 hp
Production2003–2015[1][11][12]2001–2015[13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk39Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear
  2. High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution
  3. Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time
  1. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it
  2. Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon
  3. Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure[10]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
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]
  • 2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)[8][9]
  • 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)[8][9]
  • 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)[9][16]
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

1.7 CDTI

See the 9 models with the 1.7 CDTI

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 1.7 CDTI

With the D5 5 cilindros

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  10. Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  15. Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  16. Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026