1.0 PureTech vs M271: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.0 PureTech and the M271 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 M271 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and wear of the camshaft sprockets».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

M271

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 202611 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 M271 reliable?

The M271 is the four-cylinder petrol engine Mercedes-Benz fitted from 2002 to 2015, first with a mechanical supercharger (Kompressor) and, from 2009, with a turbo in the EVO revision. It has one well-documented weak point across the range: the timing chain and the camshaft sprockets can wear prematurely, a problem a specialist source describes as persistent even after the EVO redesign.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the M271 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and M271
Item	1.0 PureTech	M271
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	1,796 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	122–204 hp
Production	2012–2016^[2][3][8][9]	2002–2015^[6][7]
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: Timing chain stretch and wear of the camshaft sprockets Medium severity: Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster solenoids into the wiring Medium severity: Crankcase ventilation hose under the supercharger: it cracks and lets in false air
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[10][11]	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][10]}	M271 Kompressor 1.6/1.8 (KE16/KE18)^[5] M271 EVO 1.8 turbo CGI (DE18 LA)^[5]
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

M271

See the 7 models with the M271

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the M271

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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 M271: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz M271 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes-Benz M 271Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · 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
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