24 Diesels That Are Known To Last a Lifetime
Rudolf Diesel successfully built the first compression ignition engine in 1897, and since then, diesel engines have been used to power everything from farm equipment to race cars.
For a while, it was the propulsion method of choice for those who wanted to go green, although we’ve since learned some ugly truths about the diesel’s environmental impact.
However, we think the diesel engine still has a place, and it’s the perfect engine for those looking for an efficient and reliable option should definitely consider one.
VAG 2.0 TDI
In Europe, Volkswagen was known for its diesel engines long before the Dieselgate scandal. You’d expect to find the 2.0-liter TDI unit under the hood of workhorses, but it’s so versatile that it even found its way into proper performance cars, such as the Audi TT.
The 2.0-liter diesel unit has been proven to last hundreds of thousands of miles, but it requires the owner to stay on top of maintenance. If you can’t service and repair it yourself, it can become costly to own in the long run.
VAG 1.9 TDI
If working on engines isn’t your thing, but you still want a Volkswagen Group product, check out the 1.9-liter TDI that was produced until 2008. It’s much simpler and more “agricultural” than the newer 2.0 engine, but being less refined also means it’s easier to keep it running.
These engines came with anywhere from 90 to 150-hp from the factory, but tuners have extracted over 250-hp from them, along with tons of diesel torque.
Mercedes-Benz OM617
Mercedes-Benz’s 3.0-liter OM617 diesel engine offers legendary reliability. First introduced in 1974, the 5-cylinder unit has powered countless taxis across Europe.
Early units produced a rather uninspiring 79-hp, but the engine remained in production until 1991, and later versions were turbocharged and had as much as 227-hp. The OM617 is one of the most durable engines ever made, and it’ll keep running forever with just basic maintenance.
Mercedes-Benz OM606
In the mid-1980s, Mercedes-Benz introduced a straight-6 diesel engine for its E-Class, and in 1993, it was replaced by another straight-six — the OM606. As good as its SOHC predecessor was, this new 3.0-liter DOHC unit beat it in every way.
It’ll run for hundreds of thousands of miles without breaking a sweat. While the most powerful version may only have 174-hp in stock form, tuners have extracted hundreds of additional ponies without sacrificing reliability.
Volvo D5
In recent years, Volvo’s reputation for reliability has taken a hit, but the D5 turbodiesel engine produced from 2002 to 2017 is still a very solid choice.
The Swedish carmaker installed the 2.4-liter D5 in several models, and thanks to its reliability and fuel efficiency, these cars are still very sought-after today. Just doing regular maintenance will keep you on the road for years to come.
Cummins 5.9 B-Series
The Europeans aren’t the only ones who know how to build a solid diesel engine. American manufacturer Cummins has developed some excellent units known to last a lifetime.
Its 5.9-liter B-series engine has seen several revisions over the years, but it’s always been near-indestructible. Found under the hood of Dodge Ram trucks, enthusiasts will wax on about how it lasts for 200,000+ miles without a rebuild. Those who want more power are also spoiled for choice, as it has a massive selection of aftermarket parts.
Ford Powerstroke 7.3
Ford also built a legendary diesel engine that’ll keep running for a lifetime. The 7.3 Powerstroke is the engine of choice among those who need to haul heavy loads without worrying about breaking down.
This engine was in production from 1994 to 2003, and it received several improvements during that time. With 210-hp and 425 lb-ft of torque, it’s not the most powerful diesel engine, but power doesn’t always go hand in hand with longevity.
Chevrolet Duramax 6.6
GM owns DMAX, the company that builds the Duramax engines, so this is a GM product through and through. Its 6.6-liter V8 diesel has been around since 2001, and it has several versions and iterations.
Power ranges from 250 to 550-hp along with 460–1,050 lb-ft of torque, so it’s obvious that it has found its way under the hood of some of the most capable trucks ever made. As long as you keep up with its maintenance schedule, the 6.6-liter Chevrolet Duramax can last for years without major repairs.
Toyota 1HD-FTE
Toyota is practically synonymous with reliability. Although Japanese manufacturers aren’t as known for diesel engines as Europeans and Americans, they know how to make powerplants that’ll last a lifetime.
The 4.2-liter Toyota 1HD-FTE inline-6 turbodiesel unit is easy to maintain, as it only needs regular servicing and a timing belt change every 90,000 miles. It’s found under the hood of the Land Cruiser and is a popular choice with overlanders, which tells us everything we need to know.
Jaguar Land Rover AJD-V6
Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are known to suffer from various reliability issues, but that’s not the AJD-V6 3.0-liter diesel engine’s fault. It’s found under the hood of the Jaguar XF, XJ, F-Pace, Range Rover, and Land Rover Discovery and provides plenty of power, fuel efficiency, and reliability.
It was developed by Ford and entered production in 2004. Power ranges from 188 to 302-hp, producing between 325 and 516 lb-ft of torque. The DPF can cause issues, but that’s the case with most modern diesels. Other than that, it’ll run for years without needing major repairs.
Ram Cummins 6.7 I-6 Turbodiesel
The 6.7-liter Ram Cummins inline-6 turbodiesel is one of the best truck engines out there. You can expect it to last 350,000 to 400,000 miles without major issues. That said, it does suffer from the same issues as all modern diesel engines — DPF and EGR failure. There are ways around that, but the legality depends on where you live.
With the most potent version producing as much as 420-hp and 1,075 lb-ft, the Cummins 6.7-liter inline-6 is strong enough to haul some serious loads.
Isuzu 4HK1-TC
Isuzu’s 4HK1-TC unit is a 5.2-liter four-cylinder SOHC engine produced between 2005 and 2020. It makes from 145 to just over 200hp and as much as 452 lb-ft of torque.
The Isuzu 4HK1-TC was fitted exclusively in commercial vehicles, and reports say it’ll run for more than 375,000 miles without any major issues. Those looking for a proper workhorse can do much worse than a vehicle fitted with this engine.
Jeep V6 EcoDiesel
Jeep’s 3.0-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 EcoDiesel is built by an Italian manufacturer, VM Motori. The first two generations of the engine are known to develop some serious issues, but most of them can be traced back to poor maintenance and emissions control systems. These problems were ironed out for the third generation of the EcoDiesel.
With proper care and maintenance, you can expect the V6 EcoDiesel to last for a very long time. With 260-hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, it’s powerful enough to do some towing, and it even delivers 30 mpg on the highway.
VAG 3.0 V6 TDI
The Volkswagen Group’s 3.0 V6 TDI was first introduced in the D3 Audi A8 in 2004 and remained in production until late 2013. The first-generation version, available until late 2007, is the one to go for.
It has gotten a somewhat bad reputation, primarily because of the more complex second-gen engines. Even the early engines require regular maintenance, but they’ll easily last 300,000–500,000 miles.
Alfa Romeo 2.4 JTDm
Alfa Romeo doesn’t exactly have the most stellar reputation regarding reliability, but the Italian carmaker’s 2.4-liter JTDm 20-valve 5-cylinder engine is surprisingly reliable.
Packing 210-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, it even made small and medium-sized cars fun to drive while returning excellent mpg. Again, any issues to look out for are all related to emissions control.
Audi V12 TDI
Audi installed a massive 6.0-liter V12 TDI engine in its Q7 SUV, and it’s absolutely glorious. However, don’t buy one expecting to save money. It may use less fuel than a powerful gasoline engine, but the Q7 V12 TDI is known to eat tires for breakfast.
In addition, when something does go wrong, it could cost a small fortune to get it fixed. That’s a small price to pay for a reliable V12 diesel that produces 493-hp and 738 lb-ft of torque if you ask us.
Honda 2.2 CTDi
Honda’s 2.2 CTDi was introduced in 2003 and has proven itself as an excellent diesel engine. It produces 140-hp and 250 lb-ft of torque in stock form, but tuners have extracted much more than that without sacrificing reliability.
Speaking of reliability, Hondas fitted with the 2.2 CTDi have cruised past the 200,000-mile mark without any major issues.
Toyota 1.4 D-4D
The Toyota 1.4 D-4D may be tiny, but it’s still capable of some serious mileage. It produces between 73 and 90-hp, depending on the car and year, and can be found in models such as the Auris, Corolla, and Yaris. In fact, even the first-gen New Mini was available with the 1.4 D-4D Toyota unit.
Being so small, it’s obviously not for towing and hauling heavy stuff around. It’s a super-frugal engine that’s practically bulletproof, and when taken care of, it’ll easily run for 500,000+ miles.
BMW M57
BMW produced the M57 diesel engine from 1998 until 2013, and like the brand’s most iconic engines, it’s also an inline-6 unit. Early versions of the 2.5-liter only produced 148-hp, but by 2006, it had grown to 3.0 liters, and that figure had increased to 282 wild diesel ponies. With an EGR delete and a larger intercooler, tuners have teased out a whopping 370hp from it.
With power like that, there’s no wonder the M57 engine was a popular choice in BMW’s sporty sedans and coupes, such as the E39 5-Series and E46 330d. With frequent maintenance, 300,000+ miles is not unheard of.
BMW B57D30S0
A couple of years after the iconic M57 diesel engine was discontinued, BMW introduced the brand-new B57D30S0. Another 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, this beast had four turbochargers, producing a whopping 375-hp and 546 lb-ft of torque in the BMW M550D.
With power like that, it’s almost surprising that owners report doing 43 mpg. Of course, it was a complex and maintenance-intensive unit, but enthusiasts say it’s the best BMW diesel ever made.
Hyundai / Kia 1.6 CRDi
With 110 to 140-hp, it’s fair to say that the Korean 1.6 CRDi engine isn’t exactly powerful, but that’s not why people buy a car with this engine in the first place. They buy it because they want efficiency and reliability.
The engine is found in smaller vehicles, such as the Hyundai i20 and i30, and the Kia Soul, Cee’d, and Accent, making it the perfect option for city use.
VW V10 TDI
Before Volkswagen was caught cheating on the emissions tests, it built the massive 5.0-liter V10 TDI engine available in the Touareg and Phaeton.
With 346-hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, it could send the large SUV to 60 mph in 6 seconds and even achieve 25 mpg on the highway. As long as it’s been looked after properly, the V10 TDI is a reliable engine. However, if previous owners skimped on maintenance or it was worked on by someone who didn’t know exactly what they were doing, things will soon become horrendously expensive.
Peugeot 1.6 HDi
Say what you want about Peugeot, but the French carmaker has always built good diesel engines. The old 1.9 TDI unit was underpowered but indestructible, and the 1.6 HDi has also proven to be near-bulletproof with proper care and maintenance.
In fact, multiple manufacturers have used these engines, such as Peugeot, Renault, Citroën, Ford, Volvo, Mini, Suzuki, and Mazda, and they’ll keep running for years without trouble.
Peugeot 908 HDi FAP
We may be cheating here, as the Peugeot 908 HDi was a Le Mans race car. However, that also proves our point, as these cars run at full chat for 24 hours without breaking down.
The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP had a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V12 diesel that produced 730-hp and 890 lb-ft of torque, and it showed that diesel engines could do more than haul construction equipment and plow fields.