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1.2 TCe vs BMW M54: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.2 TCe and the BMW M54 tie on our risk index: 54/100 (high risk). The 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure»; the BMW M54 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Thermostat and water pump failure».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

BMW M54

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

14 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 2 of the 1.2 TCe faults

Is the BMW M54 reliable?

The BMW M54 (2000-2006) is a naturally aspirated petrol inline-six with a reputation for longevity, passing 200,000 km if maintained. Its weak points are the crankcase ventilation valve and the plastic cooling system; check that they have been renewed.[6][7][8]

See the 5 of the BMW M54 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and BMW M54
1.2 TCeBMW M54
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power100–130 hp170–235 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][9][10]2000–2006[11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk54High risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. High severity: Thermostat and water pump failure
  2. High severity: Cracked expansion tank and coolant leak
  3. Medium severity: Cracked crankcase ventilation valve (CCV) and oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][13][14]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)[2][5]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)[2][3][14]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.2 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

BMW M54

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the BMW M54

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. 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
  2. Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. 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
  4. Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. BMW M54 Engine Guide: Reliability, Common Problems & Tuning PotentialEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Il motore da 6 cilindri che supera agilmente i 300.000 kmAutoblog.it · Motoring press · published 13 February 2026 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Italian
  8. BMW M54 reliabilityAutoscore · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. BMW M54Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. BMW M54Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  13. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. 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