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1.3 TCe vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the 1.4 and 1.6 16v: 36/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the 1.4 and 1.6 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt breakage or premature failure».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 16v

45

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

18 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 1.4 and 1.6 16v reliable?

The K4J (1.4) and K4M (1.6), both naturally aspirated 16-valve units, are simple and generally reliable petrol engines: no source consulted documents oil consumption or faults that destroy the block. Their most-cited weak point is the ignition coils, followed by the crankshaft sensor and, on versions with a variable valve timing unit, its pulley; a neglected belt can cause serious damage, as one case in the Renault Laguna II documents.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 1.4 and 1.6 16v
1.3 TCe1.4 and 1.6 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power109–163 hp75–135 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][8][9][10]since 1998[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults55
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: Ignition coil failure
  2. High severity: Timing belt breakage or premature failure
  3. Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure
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]
  • 1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020)[7][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
  • 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012)[15][16]
  • 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020)[6][17][18]
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

1.4 and 1.6 16v

See the 13 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

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. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Laguna 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Moteur K RenaultWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French