1.4 HDi vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi carries less risk than the 2.5 TDI R5: 43/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202612 sources How we work

Is the 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Is the 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.^[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 HDi and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	1.4 HDi	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,399 cm³	2,461 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	54–92 hp	88–174 hp
Production	2001–2010^[1][7][8][9]	2003–2011^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape High severity: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication	Critical severity: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)^[2][3] 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)^[2][9]	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)^[4] 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)^[12]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)^[4]

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 HDi

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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Sources

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

Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish