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1.3 TCe vs BMW B48 / B38: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the 1.3 TCe: 24/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; 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

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

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

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.3 TCe reliable?

The 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T (H5Ht at Renault and Dacia, HR13DDT at Nissan, M282 at Mercedes-Benz), developed with Daimler since 2018, has a clearly better record than its predecessor, the 1.2 TCe: no oil consumption or chain problems have been documented. It had manufacturing defects that have since been corrected (injectors, calibration, turbo, timing) and, on the Captur II and Clio V, a fuel pump fuse failure with no confirmed official fix.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.3 TCe 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).[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and BMW B48 / B38
1.3 TCeBMW B48 / B38
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³1,998 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp136–312 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][7][8][9]since 2014[4][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk24Low risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault
  2. High severity: Blown fuel pump fuse
  3. Medium severity: Unstable idle, juddering and stalling caused by the injectors
  1. Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS
  3. High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU
Most expensive documented repairup to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure[1][2]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 and Mild Hybrid (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, corrected production from 2020)[1]
  • B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)[5]
  • B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)[5]
  • B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)[5][12]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
None
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

1.3 TCe

See the 18 models with the 1.3 TCe

BMW B48 / B38

See the 17 models with the BMW B48 / B38

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the BMW B48 / B38

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. Renault-Dacia. Quel bilan fiabilité pour le moteur 1.3 TCe ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 5 April 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité moteur 1.3 TCeAuto Platinium · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026