A Spanish automotive inspector is generating discussion after identifying a specific diesel engine, manufactured by Japanese firm Isuzu and fitted into older Opel Astra models, as remarkably reliable. Pedro Bastida, an inspector with the Spanish vehicle inspection organization ITV, highlighted the engine’s longevity in a recent social media post, stating a family-owned vehicle equipped with the 1.7 CDTI engine had reached 270,000 kilometers with only routine oil changes performed.
Bastida’s assessment comes as diesel technology faces increasing scrutiny and declining popularity following the “Dieselgate” scandal, which first came to light in 2015. Volkswagen was found to have intentionally programmed its diesel engines to activate emissions controls only during laboratory testing, resulting in significantly higher emissions during real-world driving conditions. The scandal, which cost Volkswagen over 32 billion euros, eroded public trust in diesel technology and accelerated the shift towards electric vehicles, according to reporting from Paragraf.bg.
The fallout from Dieselgate has continued for years, with recent convictions of former Volkswagen executives in Germany. Four former leaders were found guilty of fraud related to the manipulation of diesel engine emissions, as reported by Actualidad Motor. The case, considered one of the most complex in automotive history, involved millions of vehicles worldwide.
Despite the negative publicity surrounding diesel engines, and a broader industry move away from the fuel type, Bastida argues that reliability doesn’t necessarily require the latest technology. He specifically recommends the Opel Astra models produced before the brand became part of the Stellantis automotive group. While Opel vehicles aren’t generally known for topping reliability charts, Bastida’s experience with the Isuzu-produced 1.7 CDTI engine has led him to confidently recommend it as a dependable option on the used car market.
The growing preference for alternatives to diesel in Germany is leading to a situation where older diesel vehicles are being decommissioned prematurely or exported to other countries, according to reporting from Dnes.bg. This trend suggests a deliberate effort to move away from diesel technology within Germany itself.