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MotorFiable

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI vs 1.2 PureTech: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI carries less risk than the 1.2 PureTech: 23/100 (low risk) versus 96/100 (very high risk). The 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 PureTech has 7 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil-bath timing belt degradation».

Risk index

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 PureTech

96

Very high risk · 7 serious faults

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

28 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI reliable?

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI has a reputation for being robust and has no systematic serious faults. The 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo suffered cold-start jerking at low speed, which Volkswagen corrected with software between 2019 and 2020; later units and the 2022 evo2 are more mature. Watch for coolant leaks and check the 2019 and 2020 recalls.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI faults

Is the 1.2 PureTech reliable?

The belt-driven 1.2 PureTech (2012-2025) has a problem acknowledged by Stellantis: the oil-bath timing belt can degrade, block lubrication and, on the 2013-2018 turbos, damage the brake servo vacuum pump. The 2014-2023 turbos can also use oil. Stellantis offers 10 years or 180,000 km of cover; the chain-driven generation (from 2023) no longer uses that belt.[6][7][8][9][10]

See the 7 of the 1.2 PureTech faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and 1.2 PureTech
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI1.2 PureTech
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,199 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Wet belt (belt-in-oil)
Power82–150 hp68–155 hp
Productionsince 2014[11][12][13][14][15]since 2012[16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk96Very high risk
Documented faults57
Of high or critical severity07
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module
  2. Low severity: Cold jerking at low speed ("kangaroo effect") on the 1.5 TSI evo
  3. Medium severity: Lack of torque on starting in the manual 150 hp 1.5 TSI (2019 recall)
  1. Critical severity: Oil-bath timing belt degradation
  2. Critical severity: Loss of braking assistance from vacuum pump damage
  3. High severity: Excessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,200Oil-bath timing belt degradationPublished figure[7][18][19][20]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)[1][2][5]
  • 1.0 TSI / 1.0 eTSI evo (DLAA, DLAB; 2020 onwards)[1][13]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo 114/130/150 hp (DPCA, DPBC; built from 2020)[1][21]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo2 116/150 hp (DXDB, DNKA; 2022 onwards)[1][22]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)[1][3][4]
  • 1.2 VTi / PureTech naturally aspirated 68-83 hp (EB2, EB2F, EB2FA..., from 2012)[6][8][23]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 110 and 130 hp Euro 6.1 (EB2DT, EB2DTS, 2013-2018)[7][8][9][24]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 100-155 hp Euro 6.2/6.3/6d (2018-2022)[7][9][25]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 100 and 130 hp with revised belt (2022-2025)[6][7][26]
  • 1.2 Turbo / Hybrid third generation with chain, 100-145 hp (from 2023)[27][28]
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 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

With the 1.2 PureTech

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. Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. ¿Tu motor 1.5 TSI de Volkswagen sufre de tirones en frío? Llegan novedadesMotor.es · Motoring press · published 5 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW, Seat und Skoda: Rückruf wegen Motorsoftware-Updatekfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 30 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. Stellantis ofrece medidas a los afectados por los motores PureTech tras miles de demandaskm77 · Motoring press · published 28 November 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Moteur PureTech. Stellantis généralise sa garantie de 10 ans ou 180 000 kmL'argus · Motoring press · published 26 May 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. Safety Gate, alerta A12/01505/20: Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, 3008, 5008 y Partner (copia en PDF)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Fiabilité Stellantis 1.2 PureTech. De nouvelles solutions contre la consommation d'huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 23 June 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Stellantis 1.2 Puretech engine: list of belt and chain modelsItalPassion · Motoring press · published 2 February 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. VW EA211 evoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litresVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 8 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Golf eTSI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE – International Media Drive (dossier de prensa)Volkswagen AG · Manufacturer · published August 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. Prueba de consumo (251): VW Golf Evo 1.5-TSI ACT 150 CV DSG Sport R-Line 5pkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Moteur EBWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. El Peugeot 208 estrena motor Turbo 100 con distribución por cadenaDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 16 March 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. 1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Stellantis reacciona a los motores PureTech defectuosos: amplía la garantía de manera retroactiva a 10 añosXataka · Motoring press · published 27 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. La correa bañada en aceite: cámbiala cada 60.000 km y evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 27 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Efecto canguro, el problema de los tirones en frío de los motores 1.5 TSI del Grupo VolkswagenSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  23. Rappel des moteurs 1.2 Puretech 110 et 130 chFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  24. Peugeot-Citroën-DS-Opel. Nouveau rappel de grande ampleur pour le moteur 1.2 PureTechL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 January 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  25. Peugeot, sobre los motores PureTech: «Reconocemos que hemos hecho las cosas mal»Xataka · Motoring press · published 4 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  26. 10 años o 175.000 km de garantía para los modelos de Stellantis con motor PureTechAutofácil · Motoring press · published 27 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. Confirmado: Stellantis llama a revisión a más de 200.000 coches con el motor gasolina sucesor del 1.2 PureTech: «Y también se hará en España»Motorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  28. Fiabilité du 1.2 PuretechFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French