1.0 PureTech vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 16v carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 36/100 (moderate 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 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate 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 202620 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 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 1.2 16v
Item	1.0 PureTech	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	1,149 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	68 hp	60–76 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][9][10]}	2001–2020^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	2	5
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	High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[15][16]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[5][6][7][8][17][18][19][20]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][15]}	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

1.2 16v

See the 11 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 1.2 16v

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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.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
6.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
7.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
8.Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
9.Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
10.Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
11.Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
12.Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
13.Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
14.Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
15.1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
16.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
17.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
18.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
19.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
20.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French