Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 21/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The Honda IMA híbrido has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 16v

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202624 sources How we work

Is the Honda IMA híbrido reliable?

Honda's IMA hybrid system (Insight II, Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z and Civic Hybrid) has a good reputation for reliability in the British press, and its documented weak point is the ageing of the high-voltage battery, which turns on the IMA warning light. There were also two one-off campaigns: the DC/DC converter on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and the CR-Z software.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Is the 1.2 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.2 16v
Item	Honda IMA híbrido	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	88–132 hp	60–76 hp
Production	1999–2016^{[2][8][9][10][11]}	2001–2020^{[12][13][14][15]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006) Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls	High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)^[2][3] 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)^[2][16][17] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)^[11][18]	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[4][5][6][7][19][20][21][22]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)^[1][23][24] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)^[1][11][18]	None
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

Honda IMA híbrido

1.2 16v

See the 11 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 1.2 16v

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Sources

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

1.DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
2.Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
3.Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
4.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
5.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
6.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
7.Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
8.Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
9.Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
10.Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
11.Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
12.Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
13.Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
14.Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
15.Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
16.Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
17.Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
18.Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
19.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
20.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
21.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
22.Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
23.Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
24.Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German