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1.2 PureTech vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v carries less risk than the 1.2 PureTech: 23/100 (low 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 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 PureTech

96

Very high risk · 7 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

25 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 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v reliable?

The 1.6 and 1.8 16v Ecotec (Z16XER/A16XER, Z18XER/A18XER) that Opel fitted between 2005 and 2015 to the Astra H and J, Zafira B, Vectra C and Insignia A have a reputation as reliable naturally aspirated engines: the sources consulted document no serious faults or failure patterns, only minor problems such as ignition coils and, on the 1.8, leaks from the oil cooler or thermostat.[6][7][8][9]

See the 3 of the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 PureTech and 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
1.2 PureTech1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,199 cm³—
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Timing belt (dry)
Power68–155 hp115–140 hp
Productionsince 2012[10][11]2005–2015[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)96Very high risk23Low risk
Documented faults73
Of high or critical severity70
Worst severityCritical severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak or mixing via the oil cooler (1.8)
  2. Medium severity: Coolant loss through the thermostat or water pump
  3. Low severity: Ignition coil failures
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Oil-bath timing belt degradationPublished figure[2][16][17][18]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.6 16V Ecotec 115 hp (Z16XER/A16XER, 2006-2015)[6][7][8]
  • 1.8 16V Ecotec 140 hp (Z18XER/A18XER, 2005-2014)[6][9][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 VTi / PureTech naturally aspirated 68-83 hp (EB2, EB2F, EB2FA..., from 2012)[1][3][20]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 110 and 130 hp Euro 6.1 (EB2DT, EB2DTS, 2013-2018)[2][3][4][21]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 100-155 hp Euro 6.2/6.3/6d (2018-2022)[2][4][22]
  • 1.2 PureTech turbo 100 and 130 hp with revised belt (2022-2025)[1][2][23]
  • 1.2 Turbo / Hybrid third generation with chain, 100-145 hp (from 2023)[24][25]
None
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

1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 PureTech

With the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

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. Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Fiabilité Opel Astra (H): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Opel Zafira 2 (B): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Opel Insignia (A): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Moteur EBWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. El Peugeot 208 estrena motor Turbo 100 con distribución por cadenaDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 16 March 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Opel Astra HWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Opel ZafiraWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Opel Astra JWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Opel Astra J – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. 1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Opel Vectra C: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Rappel des moteurs 1.2 Puretech 110 et 130 chFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. Fiabilité du 1.2 PuretechFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French