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1.2 PureTech vs 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI carries less risk than the 1.2 PureTech: 38/100 (moderate 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 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.2 PureTech

96

Very high risk · 7 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

38

Moderate 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 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI reliable?

A simple, naturally aspirated and generally reliable engine: it carries no emissions scandals or mass recall campaigns. The MPI generation (1.4 16v and 1.6, indirect injection) is the most robust; the direct-injection 1.6 FSI calls for keeping an eye on carbon build-up on the valves, which is common to any engine of this type. The fault that recurs most across all versions is ignition coil failure; oil consumption mainly affects the oldest 1.4 16v engine codes.[6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 PureTech and 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI
1.2 PureTech1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,199 cm³—
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Timing belt (dry)
Power68–155 hp75–116 hp
Productionsince 2012[10][11]1997–2013[6][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)96Very high risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults76
Of high or critical severity71
Worst severityCritical severityHigh 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. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
  3. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves (1.6 FSI only)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Oil-bath timing belt degradationPublished figure[2][14][15][16]up to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[17]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.4 16v MPI (EA111, 75-85 hp, 1997-2013)[7][8]
  • 1.6 MPI (EA111, BSE/BSF, 102 hp, 2005-2013)[8]
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]
  • 1.6 FSI (EA111, direct injection, 110-116 hp, 2000-2010)[8][24]
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 49 models with the 1.2 PureTech

1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

See the 13 models with the 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 PureTech

With the 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

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. Volkswagen EA111 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. VW Golf 4 (1J): Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf IV - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · 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. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. VW Golf IVWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. 1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 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. La carbonilla en los motores: qué es, por qué es tan dañinaMotor.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish