1.0 PureTech vs 1.6 EcoBoost: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.0 PureTech and the 1.6 EcoBoost tie on our risk index: 59/100 (high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the 1.6 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202616 sources How we work

Is the 1.0 PureTech reliable?

It is a simple naturally aspirated three-cylinder, but with two documented weak points: oil consumption through the piston rings, which Stellantis acknowledges across its entire production (2012-2016), and the oil-bath timing belt it shares with the 1.2. It is only recommended with a full service history, a consumption test and a checked belt.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 1.0 PureTech faults

Is the 1.6 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder that Ford used between 2010 and 2018 as a mid-range step across much of its European line-up, and which Volvo sold under its own T3/T4 designations. Its most serious fault is overheating caused by a loss of coolant circulation that can crack the cylinder head and cause a fire: Ford has recalled cars in South Africa and in the US/Canada, although we have not confirmed an equivalent campaign in Spain.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.6 EcoBoost faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 1.6 EcoBoost
Item	1.0 PureTech	1.6 EcoBoost
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	1,596 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	68 hp	120–200 hp
Production	2012–2016^[2][3][8][9]	2010–2019^[5][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	59High risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings Critical severity: Degradation of the oil-bath timing belt Low severity: Ignition coil and spark plug failure	Critical severity: Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk High severity: Coolant loss from hoses, water pump or expansion tank High severity: Premature turbocharger failure
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[11][12]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][11]}	1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)^[7][13][14] 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)^[5][15] Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)^[16]
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

1.0 PureTech

1.6 EcoBoost

See the 11 models with the 1.6 EcoBoost

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

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Sources

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

Citroën, DS, Opel, Peugeot 1.2 PureTech. Nouvelle prise en charge pour la consommation d'huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 30 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteur EBWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
PSA inaugure son « trois-pattes »L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 December 2011 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs PureTech - Stellantis prend a minima ses responsabilitésUFC-Que Choisir · Consumer association · published 18 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford KugaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor ZMZ EB0 Citroën Peugeot C3 II 208 I 1.0 VTi 68 CV usado y reconstruidoFair Motors · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Ford Mondeo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Ford Fiesta STWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French