1.0 PureTech vs N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 57/100 versus 59/100 (both high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

High 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 2 November 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 N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 reliable?

The N42 (2001-2004, E46) and the N45 (2003-2011, 116i and 316i) are four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engines with double VANOS and a timing chain; only the N42 has Valvetronic. The most cited weakness is chain stretch caused by the tensioner, followed by oil leaks and, on the N42, Valvetronic faults.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
Item	1.0 PureTech	N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	115–143 hp
Production	2012–2016^[2][3][8][9]	2001–2011^{[5][6][10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	57High risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
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: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and oil consumption Medium severity: Eccentric shaft sensor and Valvetronic motor faults (N42)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[14][15]	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][14]}	N42B18, 1.8 litres with Valvetronic (115 hp; 2001-2004)^[5][7] N42B20, 2.0 litres with Valvetronic (143 hp; 2001-2004)^[5][7][16] N45B16 and N45NB16, 1.6 litres without Valvetronic (116 hp; 2003-2011)^[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

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

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.

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
BMW N42 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW N45 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW N42 Engine Guide: Reliability, Efficiency, Tuning, Pros and ConsBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 21 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 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
BMW N42Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW N42Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW N45Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW N45Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
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
N42 2.0 Motoru: kronik sorunlarAraclo · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language