D5 5 cilindros vs 1.2 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 1.2 TDI: 39/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it»; the 1.2 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt, water pump and high-pressure pump».

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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 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.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros 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.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of D5 5 cilindros and 1.2 TDI
Item	D5 5 cilindros	1.2 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,400 cm³	1,199 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	126–215 hp	75 hp
Production	2001–2015^{[8][9][10][11]}	2009–2014^[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	39Moderate risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	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)	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	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[3]	up to €2,000Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[12]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[1][2] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[1][2] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[2][11]	1.2 TDI common rail 75 hp (CFWA, 2009-2014)^[4][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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

1.2 TDI

Other comparisons

With the D5 5 cilindros

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.

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
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
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
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