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2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Rover K-Series: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the Rover K-Series: 14/100 (low risk) versus 46/100 (moderate risk). The 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults; the Rover K-Series has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Head gasket failure».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Rover K-Series

46

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

21 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 reliable?

The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

See the of the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 fault

Is the Rover K-Series reliable?

The Rover K-Series has one very well-known fault: the head gasket, which according to Diariomotor can fail at under 100,000 km and which technical sources link to a small cooling circuit and a badly placed thermostat. The usual repair uses the multi-layer (MLS) gasket developed for the Freelander; the other two documented faults (sunken liners and coolant leaks) are related to that same circuit.[9][10][11][12]

See the 3 of the Rover K-Series faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 and Rover K-Series
2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12Rover K-Series
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power135–177 hp60–160 hp
Production1999–2010[1][3][13][14]1990–2005[10][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)14Low risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults13
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  1. High severity: Head gasket failure
  2. High severity: Sunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheating
  3. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hoses
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[4][16][18]
  • 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)[5][7]
  • 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)[5][6][8][14][19]
  • 1.1 K8 60 hp / K16 75 hp (Rover 25, 1998-2005)[9][12]
  • 1.4 8V/16V 74-103 hp (14K2F / 14K4F, 1995-2005)[9][11]
  • 1.6 16V 109-116 hp (16K4F, 1995-2005)[9][11]
  • 1.8 16V 117-136 hp (18K4F, 1995-2005)[9][11][20]
  • 1.8 VVC 145-160 hp (18K4K, 1995-2005)[20][21]
  • 1.8 T turbo 150-160 hp (18K4T, 2002-2005)[9][12]
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

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

With the Rover K-Series

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. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  5. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  6. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. Guía de compra del MG TF de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 7 November 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. MG TF (2002)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Choosing the correct K Series Head Gasket KitDMGRS · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Cooling and heating (K-Series: ZR, ZS, ZT, MGF, TF)MGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. Rover K-series engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. MG ZR ZS ZT & Modern Engine & FuelMGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  21. MGF & TF Headgasket Repair KitsMGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026