1.9 dCi vs 2.3 dCi (M9T): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 dCi (M9T) carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 67/100 (high risk). The 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings»; the 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

1.9 dCi

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Is the 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.^[6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.9 dCi and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
Item	1.9 dCi	2.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,870 cm³	2,300 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	80–130 hp	100–180 hp
Production	1999–2011^[8][9][10]	since 2010^[6][7][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	67High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors	High severity: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure^[6][12]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)^[7] 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)^[7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[3] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[3] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[1][2]	2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)^[7] 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)^[13]
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

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 dCi

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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.

Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language