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1.0 PureTech vs 1.4/1.6 VTi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4/1.6 VTi carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 52/100 versus 59/100 (both high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the 1.4/1.6 VTi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Fragile water pump (and expansion tank or heat exchanger, depending on displacement)».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

59

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4/1.6 VTi

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

12 sourcesHow 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 1.4/1.6 VTi reliable?

The 1.4 VTi and 1.6 VTi are the naturally aspirated versions of the Prince family, developed by PSA together with BMW and also used by MINI. They do not have a reputation for particular reliability: fiches-auto.fr documents frequent oil consumption in both displacements and a fragile water pump, later inherited by the turbocharged 1.6 THP; according to a German garage, the timing chain can also wear in any version, although the most reported cases are on the turbo engine.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.4/1.6 VTi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 1.4/1.6 VTi
1.0 PureTech1.4/1.6 VTi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement999 cm³—
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Chain
Power68 hp90–121 hp
Production2012–2016[2][3][8][9]2006–2015[10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk52High risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings
  2. Critical severity: Degradation of the oil-bath timing belt
  3. Low severity: Ignition coil and spark plug failure
  1. High severity: Fragile water pump (and expansion tank or heat exchanger, depending on displacement)
  2. Critical severity: Wear of the timing chain and tensioner
  3. Medium severity: Oil consumption on the 1.4 and 1.6 VTi versions
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure[11][12]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v / VTi (EP3, N12; 90-98 hp)[5][7]
  • 1.6 16v / VTi (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16; 118-121 hp)[5][6][7]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

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

1.4/1.6 VTi

See the 10 models with the 1.4/1.6 VTi

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 1.4/1.6 VTi

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 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
  2. Moteur EBWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. PSA inaugure son « trois-pattes »L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 December 2011 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Moteurs PureTech - Stellantis prend a minima ses responsabilitésUFC-Que Choisir · Consumer association · published 18 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Tickende Zeitbombe: So zuverlässig ist der Prince-Motor von PSA und BMWGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. 1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. 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