1.0 PureTech vs BMW N43/N46: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.0 PureTech and the BMW N43/N46 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 BMW N43/N46 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Wear and breakage of the timing chain guides».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

BMW N43/N46

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202615 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 BMW N43/N46 reliable?

The BMW N43 and N46 (2004-2012) are naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines fitted to the 1 Series E87, 3 Series E90, X1 E84 and Z4 E85/E86, among others. They have a reputation for being solid if properly maintained, but share well-known wear of the timing chain guides and tensioner, of the Valvetronic and of the VANOS valves; the direct-injection N43 adds documented failures of the injectors, ignition coils and the NOx sensor.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the BMW N43/N46 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and BMW N43/N46
Item	1.0 PureTech	BMW N43/N46
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	121–170 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][9][10]}	2004–2012^{[5][6][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	59High risk
Documented faults	3	4
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: Wear and breakage of the timing chain guides Medium severity: Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43) Medium severity: Wear of the Valvetronic and the VANOS solenoid valves
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[13][14]	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][13]}	N46B20 127-148 hp, indirect injection (2004-2007)^[7][8] N46NB20 150-170 hp, revised ECU (2006-2012)^[7][8][15] N43B16 121 hp, 1.6 litres (2007-2011)^[5][7] N43B20 121-168 hp, 2.0 litres (2007-2013)^[5][7]
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

BMW N43/N46

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the BMW N43/N46

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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 N43Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N46Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N43: Bei diesem Benziner ist Ärger vorprogrammiertGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW N46: Typische Probleme & HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 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
BMW N43Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW N46Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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
BMW X1 E84 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German