A20DTH 2.0 CDTI
The diesel almost every Insignia and many an Astra carries. It's strong and cheap to run, and two things decide whether it's a bargain: the timing chain, which is a wear item here rather than a lifetime part, and a particulate filter that punishes short journeys.
| Configuration | I4, turbocharged | Displacement | 1956 cc |
| Fuel | diesel | Injection | common rail |
| Shared components | DPF · EGR cooler | ||
Cars using this engine
Engine and component issues
A rattle from the front of the engine for a second or two on cold start, and eventually a chain or timing fault code. The chain and its guides wear rather than lasting the life of the engine. Extended oil intervals and short-trip use bring it on sooner, and on a car of this value the repair is a large share of what it's worth.
Check: Arrive to a stone-cold engine and listen through the first few seconds. A rattle that clears as oil pressure builds is the fault, and it should price the car.
Warning light, limp mode, oil level rising above the maximum mark from fuel dilution. The filter needs sustained hot running to regenerate. A car used for short urban trips never completes a regeneration cycle.
Check: Read the DPF soot load and the distance since the last regeneration on a scan tool, and check the engine oil level and smell it for diesel. Ask what the car was used for. A short-trip city diesel is the wrong car regardless of mileage.
Coolant loss with no visible external leak, white smoke, sweet smell. The EGR cooler cracks internally and leaks coolant into the intake. BMW recalled affected diesels over a fire risk from glycol deposits igniting.
Check: Check coolant level and look for unexplained top-ups in the service history. Verify the recall was carried out. It's free and searchable by VIN.
Chassis, gearbox and body issues aren't listed here. They depend on which car the engine is fitted to. Open a variant page for the merged list.