1.0 PureTech vs 1.2 8v Fire: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 8v Fire carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 20/100 (low 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 1.2 8v Fire has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 8v Fire

Low risk · 0 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 202618 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 1.2 8v Fire reliable?

The 1.2 8v Fire is one of Fiat's simplest and most widespread petrol engines, with more than two decades in production and no serious or systemic faults documented. The sources consulted describe it as robust: its most-cited issues are isolated sensor failures (lambda sensor, crankshaft sensor), the ignition coil and somewhat high oil consumption at higher mileages; there is no pattern of timing belt breakage.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 4 of the 1.2 8v Fire faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 1.2 8v Fire
Item	1.0 PureTech	1.2 8v Fire
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	1,242 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	68 hp	60–69 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][11][12]}	1999–2020^{[13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	20Low risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium 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	Medium severity: Sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC) Low severity: Oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket Low severity: Faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)
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	1.2 8v SMPI 60-65 hp (1999-2009)^[5] 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020)^{[6][7][9][10]}
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][17]}	None
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

1.2 8v Fire

See the 7 models with the 1.2 8v Fire

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 1.2 8v Fire

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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
Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (2003-2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (depuis 2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiat Panda III (seit 2011) – Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 21 January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · 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
Fiat FIRE engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat Grande PuntoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford KaWikipedia (inglés) · 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