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

According to our risk index, the 2.5 TDI R5 carries less risk than the 2.2 HDi: 45/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.2 HDi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version»; the 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

2.2 HDi

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

45

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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.2 HDi reliable?

This is a diesel derived from the 2.0 HDi that PSA and Ford shared in large saloons and MPVs (407, 607, 807, C5, C6, C8) and that Land Rover and Ford used under their own names (TDCi, TD4, SD4) in the Mondeo IV, the Freelander 2 and the first Evoque. According to fiches-auto it does not suffer chronically from the turbo or dual-mass flywheel problems of smaller HDi engines, but the 128-138 hp version does have a recurring problem of DPF clogging.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 2.2 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.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.2 HDi and 2.5 TDI R5
2.2 HDi2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,179 cm³2,461 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power128–204 hp88–174 hp
Production2000–2015[1][3][8][9][10]2003–2011[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version
  2. High severity: Turbo faults, somewhat more frequent on the sequential twin-turbo versions
  3. High severity: Piezo injector wear and failure
  1. Critical severity: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders
  2. High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear
  3. Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.2 HDi 150-156 (single variable-geometry turbo, 2006-2012)[14][15]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.2 HDi 128-138 (DW12 TED4, single turbo, 2000-2006)[4]
  • 2.2 HDi 170-175 twin-turbo (DW12 BTED4, 2005-2010)[4][9]
  • 2.2 HDi 190-204 twin-turbo (DW12 C, 2010-2015)[9]
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)[5]
  • 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)[13]
AvoidVersions to avoidNone
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)[5]

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

2.2 HDi

See the 13 models with the 2.2 HDi

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 2.2 HDi

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Ford MondeoWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 136 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  6. Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  7. Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. Range Rover EvoqueWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 204 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Essai Citroën C5 Exclusive + 2.2 HDI 200 TourerActu Automobile · Motoring press · published 2011 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  12. VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  13. Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Essai Peugeot 4007 2.2 HDi DCS 6Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 7 April 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Citroën C-CrosserWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish