1.2 TCe vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TCe carries less risk than the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo: 54/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure»; the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the 1.2 TCe reliable?

Only with reservations: 1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built between 2012 and mid-2016 can burn a lot of oil because of poor piston ring sealing, with a risk of damaging the valves, stretching the chain or destroying the engine. Renault and Nissan dealt with it through technical notes and case-by-case assistance, without a recall; later production incorporates the fix.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 2 of the 1.2 TCe faults

Is the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo reliable?

Mazda's 2.3 DISI Turbo (L3-VDT, 2005-2013) is powerful but demanding: the timing chain, the turbo and oil sludge are its weak points; only buy one with a good oil service history.^[6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
Item	1.2 TCe	2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,197 cm³	2,261 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	100–130 hp	256–263 hp
Production	2012–2018^{[1][2][5][9][10]}	2005–2013^[6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	63High risk
Documented faults	2	3
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo High severity: Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI Turbo Medium severity: Oil consumption and sludge in the 2.3 DISI Turbo engine
Most expensive documented repair	up to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure^{[1][2][12][13]}	up to €2,200Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI TurboPublished figure^[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)^[2][5]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)^[2][3][13]	2.3 MZR DISI Turbo 256-260 hp (L3-VDT, 2005-2009)^[6][7] 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo (L3-VDT, 2010-2013)^[6][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

1.2 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

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Sources

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

Moteur 1.2 Renault - 400 000 voitures en dangerUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Renault 1.2 TCe et Nissan 1.2 DIG-T : des moteurs gourmands en huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 12 October 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Mazda L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Problemas Mazda CX-7Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
2009 Mazda CX-7 engine problemsCarComplaints · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026
Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problème moteur Renault-Dacia 1.2 TCe, Nissan 1.2 DIG-T et Mercedes - Vos questions, nos réponsesUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French