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

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the D5 5 cilindros: 38/100 versus 39/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202615 sources How we work

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.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 6 of the 2.0 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.^[7][8][9]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 CDTI and D5 5 cilindros
Item	2.0 CDTI	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,956 cm³	2,400 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	110–210 hp	126–215 hp
Production	2008–2019^[1][10]	2001–2015^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[9]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)^[2][15] 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)^[3][4] 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)^[2] 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)^[10]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[7][8] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[7][8] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[8][14]
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

2.0 CDTI

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 CDTI

With the D5 5 cilindros

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Sources

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

Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
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
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German