1.0 PureTech vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 23/100 (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 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Low 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 30 October 202617 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 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC reliable?

Naturally aspirated Honda petrol engines (K20/K24 and R20) with a timing chain. The only serious documented fault is camshaft wear in the early K20s (2003-2004); the R20A and K24Z show no serious faults in the sources consulted, and only isolated cases of oil consumption appear. The sample of testimonies is small.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 2 of the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
Item	1.0 PureTech	2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	150–200 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][11][12]}	2001–2016^[13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	23Low risk
Documented faults	3	2
Of high or critical severity	2	1
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: Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic) Low severity: Excessive oil consumption on the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engine
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[16][17]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	2.0 i-VTEC 156 and 2.4 i-VTEC 200 (K family, Accord VII)^[8] 2.4 i-VTEC 200 hp (K24Z, Accord VIII)^[7] 2.0 i-VTEC 156 hp (R20A, Accord VIII)^[7] 2.0 i-VTEC 150-155 hp (R20A, CR-V III and IV)^[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][16]}	2.0 i-VTEC Type R (K20Z, Civic VIII FN2)^[13]
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

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

See the 7 models with the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

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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
Fiabilidad Honda CR-V III: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda CR-V IV: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2008-2015): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2003-2008): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Honda Accord 8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Honda CR-V RM: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 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
Honda K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda R engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda AccordWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
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