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MotorFiable

1.2 TCe vs M111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M111 carries less risk than the 1.2 TCe: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure»; the M111 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

M111

38

Moderate 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

12 sourcesHow 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 M111 reliable?

The M111 is the four-cylinder petrol engine Mercedes-Benz fitted from 1992 to 2006 in the C-Class (W202 and the early years of the W203), the E-Class (W210), the CLK (C208), the SLK (R170) and the Sprinter, in naturally aspirated form and with a mechanical supercharger (Kompressor). A German used-car guide describes it as reliable when well maintained, with limited weak points: the head gasket and an oil leak into the camshaft adjuster wiring.[6][7]

See the 5 of the M111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and M111
1.2 TCeM111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power100–130 hp122–197 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][8][9]1992–2006[6][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. Medium severity: Head gasket failure with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Camshaft adjuster oil leak into the wiring
  3. Medium severity: Mechanical supercharger (Kompressor) wear at high mileage
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][11][12]No reliable data
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][12]
  • M111 naturally aspirated 1.8/2.0/2.2/2.3 (E18/E20/E22/E23)[6][7]
  • M111 Kompressor 2.0/2.3 (E20 ML/E23 ML)[6][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 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

M111

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the M111

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. 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
  2. Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. 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
  4. Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Mercedes-Benz M111 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Mercedes M111: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  10. Mercedes-Benz M 111Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. 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