1.0 PureTech vs 1.2 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TCe carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 54/100 versus 57/100 (both high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 TCe

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 26 September 202617 sources How we work

Is the 1.0 PureTech reliable?

It is a simple naturally aspirated three-cylinder, but with two documented weak points: oil consumption through the piston rings, which Stellantis acknowledges across its entire production (2012-2016), and the oil-bath timing belt it shares with the 1.2. It is only recommended with a full service history, a consumption test and a checked belt.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the 1.0 PureTech faults

Is the 1.2 TCe reliable?

Only with reservations: 1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built between 2012 and mid-2016 can burn a lot of oil because of poor piston ring sealing, with a risk of damaging the valves, stretching the chain or destroying the engine. Renault and Nissan dealt with it through technical notes and case-by-case assistance, without a recall; later production incorporates the fix.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 2 of the 1.2 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 1.2 TCe
Item	1.0 PureTech	1.2 TCe
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	1,197 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	100–130 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][10][11]}	2012–2018^{[5][6][9][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	54High risk
Documented faults	2	2
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings Critical severity: Degradation of the oil-bath timing belt	Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[14][15]	up to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure^{[5][6][16][17]}
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)^[6][9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][14]}	1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)^[6][7][17]
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

1.0 PureTech

1.2 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 1.2 TCe

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

1.Citroën, DS, Opel, Peugeot 1.2 PureTech. Nouvelle prise en charge pour la consommation d'huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 30 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
2.Moteur EBWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
3.PSA inaugure son « trois-pattes »L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 December 2011 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
4.Moteurs PureTech - Stellantis prend a minima ses responsabilitésUFC-Que Choisir · Consumer association · published 18 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
5.Moteur 1.2 Renault - 400 000 voitures en dangerUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
6.Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
7.Renault 1.2 TCe et Nissan 1.2 DIG-T : des moteurs gourmands en huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 12 October 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
8.Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
9.Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
10.Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
11.Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
12.Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
13.H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
14.1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
15.Motor ZMZ EB0 Citroën Peugeot C3 II 208 I 1.0 VTi 68 CV usado y reconstruidoFair Motors · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
16.Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
17.Problème moteur Renault-Dacia 1.2 TCe, Nissan 1.2 DIG-T et Mercedes - Vos questions, nos réponsesUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French