1.0 PureTech vs Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 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 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202621 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 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 reliable?

The supercharged 3.0 TFSI (EA837, 2008-2018) has a reputation for reliability: Gebrauchtwagenberater sees no known problems in the A6 C7. What is documented is limited: thermostat and water pump leaks, a fuel rail recall campaign, chain wear in the first units, and carbon build-up. The turbocharged EA839 (from 2016) has no documented faults of its own yet.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 5 of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
Item	1.0 PureTech	Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	2,995 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	272–450 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][11][12]}	since 2008^{[13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High 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	High severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear High severity: Fuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns) Medium severity: Leak at the thermostat housing and water pump
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[17][18]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)^[10] 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo (EA839: DECA, DKMB; 2016 onwards)^[10][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][17]}	3.0 TFSI 290 hp supercharged (CAJA, CGWA; 2008-2013)^[5][9][19] 3.0 TFSI 300/310 hp supercharged (CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA; 2010-2014)^[7][9][20] 3.0 TFSI 333 hp supercharged, direct injection (CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB; 2008-2015)^[6][7][19] 3.0 TFSI 333 hp evo supercharged with combined injection (CREC; 2014-2018)^{[8][9][20][21]} 3.0 TFSI 272 hp supercharged (CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC; 2010-2017)^[6] SQ5 3.0 TFSI 354 hp supercharged (2013-2017)^[6]
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

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

See the 19 models with the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

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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
Audi A6 C7 4G 2011-2018 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Audi Q5: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Undichtigkeit im Einspritzsystem: Audi-Rückruf läuft bereitsÖAMTC · Consumer association · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Audi: Ersatz des KraftstoffverteilersÖAMTC · Consumer association · published 19 February 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Audi A6 C7: typische Probleme und Diagnose mit ODISKfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich (blog de taller) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Audi A6 C8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
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
List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
Audi Técnica Motor 3.0 TFSI (2008)km77.com · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
Audi 3.0 TFSIAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 27 June 2008 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Used Audi A4 buying guide 2008-2015 (Mk4)Carbuyer · Motoring press · published 7 February 2019 · consulted 9 October 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
Gebrauchter Audi A6 und S6 C7 ZuverlässigkeitsleitfadenEuro Premium Parts (blog de recambista) · Other source · published 29 November 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2015/031 y R/2019/099)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
Audi A6 berlina 3.0 TFSI 333 CV quattro S tronic 7 vel. (2014-2017)km77.com · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish