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1.2 PureTech vs N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 carries less risk than the 1.2 PureTech: 57/100 (high risk) versus 96/100 (very high risk). The 1.2 PureTech has 7 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil-bath timing belt degradation»; the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

1.2 PureTech

96

Very high risk · 7 serious faults

Risk index

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

57

High 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

24 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 PureTech reliable?

The belt-driven 1.2 PureTech (2012-2025) has a problem acknowledged by Stellantis: the oil-bath timing belt can degrade, block lubrication and, on the 2013-2018 turbos, damage the brake servo vacuum pump. The 2014-2023 turbos can also use oil. Stellantis offers 10 years or 180,000 km of cover; the chain-driven generation (from 2023) no longer uses that belt.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 7 of the 1.2 PureTech faults

Is the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 reliable?

The N42 (2001-2004, E46) and the N45 (2003-2011, 116i and 316i) are four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engines with double VANOS and a timing chain; only the N42 has Valvetronic. The most cited weakness is chain stretch caused by the tensioner, followed by oil leaks and, on the N42, Valvetronic faults.[6][7][8]

See the 5 of the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 PureTech and N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
1.2 PureTechN42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,199 cm³—
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Chain
Power68–155 hp115–143 hp
Productionsince 2012[9][10]2001–2011[6][7][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)96Very high risk57High risk
Documented faults75
Of high or critical severity71
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Oil-bath timing belt degradation
  2. Critical severity: Loss of braking assistance from vacuum pump damage
  3. High severity: Excessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failure
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and oil consumption
  3. Medium severity: Eccentric shaft sensor and Valvetronic motor faults (N42)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Oil-bath timing belt degradationPublished figure[2][15][16][17]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 VTi / PureTech naturally aspirated 68-83 hp (EB2, EB2F, EB2FA..., from 2012)[1][3][18]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 110 and 130 hp Euro 6.1 (EB2DT, EB2DTS, 2013-2018)[2][3][4][19]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 100-155 hp Euro 6.2/6.3/6d (2018-2022)[2][4][20]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 100 and 130 hp with revised belt (2022-2025)[1][2][21]
  • 1.2 Turbo / Hybrid third generation with chain, 100-145 hp (from 2023)[22][23]
  • N42B18, 1.8 litres with Valvetronic (115 hp; 2001-2004)[6][8]
  • N42B20, 2.0 litres with Valvetronic (143 hp; 2001-2004)[6][8][24]
  • N45B16 and N45NB16, 1.6 litres without Valvetronic (116 hp; 2003-2011)[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

1.2 PureTech

See the 51 models with the 1.2 PureTech

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 PureTech

With the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

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. Stellantis ofrece medidas a los afectados por los motores PureTech tras miles de demandaskm77 · Motoring press · published 28 November 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Moteur PureTech. Stellantis généralise sa garantie de 10 ans ou 180 000 kmL'argus · Motoring press · published 26 May 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Safety Gate, alerta A12/01505/20: Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, 3008, 5008 y Partner (copia en PDF)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Fiabilité Stellantis 1.2 PureTech. De nouvelles solutions contre la consommation d'huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 23 June 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Stellantis 1.2 Puretech engine: list of belt and chain modelsItalPassion · Motoring press · published 2 February 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026
  6. BMW N42 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. BMW N45 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. BMW N42 Engine Guide: Reliability, Efficiency, Tuning, Pros and ConsBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 21 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Moteur EBWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. El Peugeot 208 estrena motor Turbo 100 con distribución por cadenaDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 16 March 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. BMW N42Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. BMW N42Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. BMW N45Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. BMW N45Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. 1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Stellantis reacciona a los motores PureTech defectuosos: amplía la garantía de manera retroactiva a 10 añosXataka · Motoring press · published 27 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. La correa bañada en aceite: cámbiala cada 60.000 km y evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 27 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Rappel des moteurs 1.2 Puretech 110 et 130 chFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  19. Peugeot-Citroën-DS-Opel. Nouveau rappel de grande ampleur pour le moteur 1.2 PureTechL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 January 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  20. Peugeot, sobre los motores PureTech: «Reconocemos que hemos hecho las cosas mal»Xataka · Motoring press · published 4 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. 10 años o 175.000 km de garantía para los modelos de Stellantis con motor PureTechAutofácil · Motoring press · published 27 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Confirmado: Stellantis llama a revisión a más de 200.000 coches con el motor gasolina sucesor del 1.2 PureTech: «Y también se hará en España»Motorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Fiabilité du 1.2 PuretechFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  24. N42 2.0 Motoru: kronik sorunlarAraclo · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language