1.3 Multijet vs BMW N47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 Multijet carries less risk than the BMW N47: 64/100 (high risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The 1.3 Multijet has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure»; the BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

High risk · 4 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 26 September 202619 sources How we work

Is the 1.3 Multijet reliable?

The 1.3 Multijet is a reliable diesel in the basics, but it has a known weak point across all its brands: the timing chain and its tensioner can stretch or fail if oil changes are neglected, with a risk of serious damage. In urban use, the EGR valve, the particulate filter and the variable-geometry turbo add to the list.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.3 Multijet faults

Is the BMW N47 reliable?

The BMW N47 (2007-2016, including its MINI derivatives N47C16/N47C20) is mechanically sound in the basics, but it carries a serious, well-documented design flaw: the rear timing chain wears or breaks prematurely on many units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, with repairs from €1,500 to over €8,000 if the engine ends up damaged. Without a clear timing history, great caution is needed.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and BMW N47
Item	1.3 Multijet	BMW N47
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,248 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	69–105 hp	90–218 hp
Production	2003–2024^[9][10][11]	2007–2016^{[5][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	87Very high risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	4	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo	Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure^[3]	up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^{[15][16][17][18][19]}
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)^[1][2][3] 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)^[2][4] 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)^[2][4]	N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)^[5][8] N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)^[5][8] N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)^[5][8] N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)^[5][8] N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)^[13] N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)^[14]
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

1.3 Multijet

See the 20 models with the 1.3 Multijet

BMW N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the BMW N47

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Sources

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

Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish