1.0 PureTech vs 1.4 and 1.6 8v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 and 1.6 8v carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 48/100 (moderate 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 1.4 and 1.6 8v has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «LPG tank corrosion».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 8v

Moderate risk · 3 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 202615 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 1.4 and 1.6 8v reliable?

The K7J (1.4) and K7M (1.6) are the original 8-valve, single-camshaft versions of Renault's «K» family: simple naturally aspirated engines that are, on the whole, reliable. None of the sources consulted documents oil consumption or faults that destroy the block. The most frequently cited weak points are the crankshaft sensor, the head gasket and the ignition coils; on Dacia's LPG versions, corrosion of the gas tank is added to the list.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 and 1.6 8v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 1.4 and 1.6 8v
Item	1.0 PureTech	1.4 and 1.6 8v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	68 hp	75–90 hp
Production	2012–2016^[2][3][8][9]	since 1995^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	2	3
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: LPG tank corrosion High severity: Timing belt breakage or failure High severity: Head gasket (and, in some cases, cylinder head)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[13][14]	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][13]}	1.4 8V 75 hp (K7J, 1995-2012)^{[5][6][7][15]} 1.6 8V 90 hp (K7M, 1995-2012)^[5][6] 1.4 8V 75 hp LPG (K7J 714, Dacia, 2008-2012)^[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

1.4 and 1.6 8v

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 1.4 and 1.6 8v

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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 Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Renault K-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur K RenaultWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 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
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Kangoo 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French