2.0 dCi 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 2.0 dCi: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 2.0 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure»; the 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

2.0 dCi

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

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 202616 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 2.5 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 2.0 dCi and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	2.0 dCi	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,461 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	90–177 hp	88–174 hp
Production	2005–2016^{[8][9][10][11]}	2003–2011^[12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)	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	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][15] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[16]	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)^[14]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	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

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 dCi

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.

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
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
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
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
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