1.9 dCi vs 1.2 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TDI carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 45/100 (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 1.2 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump».

Risk index

1.9 dCi

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 TDI

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 27 September 202614 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 1.2 TDI reliable?

A three-cylinder diesel with a single homologated output (75 hp) that Volkswagen fitted to the low-consumption versions of its smallest models between 2009 and 2014. It belongs to the EA189 family and was added to the list of engines in the emissions scandal a few days later. Its timing belt also drives the water pump and the high-pressure pump, so do not put off replacing it; also keep an eye on the turbo, the EGR and the particulate filter.^[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.2 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.9 dCi and 1.2 TDI
Item	1.9 dCi	1.2 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,870 cm³	1,199 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	80–130 hp	75 hp
Production	1999–2011^[10][11][12]	2009–2014^[8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	67High risk	45Moderate 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	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump High severity: Failing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smoke
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €2,000Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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]	1.2 TDI common rail 75 hp (CFWA, 2009-2014)^[6][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

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

1.2 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 dCi

With the 1.2 TDI

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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
Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Volkswagen emissions scandalWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
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
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish