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1.2 TCe vs BMW N20: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TCe carries less risk than the BMW N20: 54/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure»; the BMW N20 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N20

63

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

12 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 N20 reliable?

The BMW N20 (2011-2017) was the first turbocharged four-cylinder with which BMW replaced its naturally aspirated six-cylinders in models such as the 320i, 328i and X3, and it is generally mechanically sound. Its best-documented weak point is the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015; oil leaks, the electric water pump and, to a lesser extent, the turbo and the high-pressure fuel pump are also known issues.[6][7]

See the 5 of the BMW N20 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and BMW N20
1.2 TCeBMW N20
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³1,997 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power100–130 hp156–245 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][8][9]2011–2017[6][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk63High risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)
  2. Critical severity: Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][11][12]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][12]
  • N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016)[7]
  • N20B20B 184 hp (135 kW, 2011-2017)[7]
  • N20B20 218 hp (160 kW, 2012-2015)[7]
  • N20B20A 245 hp (180 kW, 2011-2017)[7]
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 N20

See the 8 models with the BMW N20

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the BMW N20

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 N20Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  10. BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. 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