1.0 PureTech vs M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) 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 M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Recall for the tank vent pipe (2010)».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

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 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 M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) reliable?

The M266 is the four-cylinder petrol engine (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo, from 95 to 193 hp) of the W169 A-Class and the W245 B-Class, from 2004 to 2012. The German guides give it a good reputation and cite no faults of its own; what is documented is a starter motor that sometimes fails and is expensive to replace, and a 2010 recall over the tank vent pipe.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 2 of the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
Item	1.0 PureTech	M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	95–193 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][9][10]}	2004–2012^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	20Low 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	Medium severity: Faulty starter motor on the M266 (expensive repair) High severity: Recall for the tank vent pipe (2010)
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	M266 E15 1.5 95 hp (A 150/A 160 and B 150/B 160; 2004-2012)^[5][7][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][14]}	M266 E17 1.7 116 hp (A 170/A 180 and B 170/B 180; 2004-2012)^[7][16] M266 E20 2.0 136 hp (A 200 and B 200; 2004-2012)^[7][16] M266 E20 AL 2.0 Turbo 193 hp (A 200 Turbo and B 200 Turbo; 2005-2010)^[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

M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

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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
Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse 2004-2012 W169 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Mercedes B-Klasse T245: Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mercedes Classe B (2005-2012) : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Mercedes-Benz: Rückruf für A- und B-KlasseAutoservicepraxis · Motoring press · published 22 September 2010 · consulted 2 November 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
Mercedes-Benz M 166 / M 266Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz W169Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Mercedes Classe A : motorisations, moteurs et consommationFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
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
Fiabilité Mercedes Classe A (2004-2012) : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French