2.3 dCi (M9T) vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 dCi (M9T) carries less risk than the D5 5 cilindros: 32/100 versus 39/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 5 October 202612 sources How we work

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.^[1][2]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Is the D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[3][4][5]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 dCi (M9T) and D5 5 cilindros
Item	2.3 dCi (M9T)	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,300 cm³	2,400 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	100–180 hp	126–215 hp
Production	since 2010^[1][2][6]	2001–2015^{[7][8][9][10]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	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	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure^[1][11]	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[5]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)^[2] 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)^[2]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)^[2] 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)^[12]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[3][4] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[3][4] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[4][10]
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

2.3 dCi (M9T)

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

With the D5 5 cilindros

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 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
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera 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