1.0 PureTech vs BMW B48 / B38: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 24/100 (low risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the BMW B48 / B38 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202614 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 BMW B48 / B38 reliable?

The BMW B48 (2.0 turbo, from 2014) and its three-cylinder sibling, the B38 (1.5), have a reputation as reliable engines within BMW's modern range: there is no serious, widespread fault on record, unlike the timing chain on the N47 diesel or the EGR fire risk on the B47. Keep an eye on the cooling circuit, the oil seals near the turbo and the VANOS, and the carbon build-up typical of direct injection; BMW revised the timing chain in 2018 (B48TU update).^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and BMW B48 / B38
Item	1.0 PureTech	BMW B48 / B38
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	1,998 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	136–312 hp
Production	2012–2016^[2][3][8][9]	since 2014^[5][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	24Low risk
Documented faults	2	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings Critical severity: Degradation of the oil-bath timing belt	Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[12][13]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)^[6] B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)^[6] B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)^[6][14] B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)^[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][12]}	None
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

BMW B48 / B38

See the 17 models with the BMW B48 / B38

Other comparisons

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With the BMW B48 / B38

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Sources

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

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
Moteur EBWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
PSA inaugure son « trois-pattes »L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 December 2011 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs PureTech - Stellantis prend a minima ses responsabilitésUFC-Que Choisir · Consumer association · published 18 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026