2.0 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 2.0 dCi: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 2.0 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure»; the 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

2.0 dCi

High risk · 2 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 202615 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 2.0 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.^[5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 dCi and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
Item	2.0 dCi	2.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,300 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	90–177 hp	100–180 hp
Production	2005–2016^{[7][8][9][10]}	since 2010^[5][6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)	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^[5][12]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)^[6] 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)^[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[1][2][4] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[2][3][13] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[14]	2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)^[6] 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)^[15]
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 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 dCi

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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Sources

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

Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-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
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language