1.6 THP vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 16v carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

1.6 THP

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate 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

Reviewed on 27 September 202619 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 1.6 THP 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 THP and 1.2 16v
Item	1.6 THP	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–270 hp	60–76 hp
Production	2006–2018^[1][9][10]	2001–2020^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions	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	None	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[5][6][7][8][15][16][17][18]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)^[4] 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)^[2][3][19] 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)^[2][3][4]	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

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

1.2 16v

See the 11 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 THP

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.

Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026