1.2 TCe vs 1.0 SCe (B4D): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 SCe (B4D) carries less risk than the 1.2 TCe: 23/100 (low 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 1.0 SCe (B4D) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 TCe

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.0 SCe (B4D)

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202614 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 1.0 SCe (B4D) reliable?

The 1.0 SCe (B4D) is a simple, low-power (70-75 hp) naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, with no serious or systemic faults documented. Its most cited issues are a clutch that can slip or judder when cold and, more occasionally on the Dacia Sandero II, higher-than-normal oil consumption; there is no pattern of faults in the chain-driven timing.^[6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 1.0 SCe (B4D) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and 1.0 SCe (B4D)
Item	1.2 TCe	1.0 SCe (B4D)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,197 cm³	999 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	100–130 hp	70–75 hp
Production	2012–2018^{[1][2][5][9][10]}	2014–2024^[11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	23Low risk
Documented faults	2	4
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage	Medium severity: Clutch that slips or judders, especially when cold Medium severity: Jerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coils Low severity: Higher-than-normal oil consumption (especially on the Dacia Sandero II)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure^{[1][2][13][14]}	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][14]	1.0 SCe 70/75 (B4D, 2014-2024)^[6][7][8]
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

1.0 SCe (B4D)

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the 1.0 SCe (B4D)

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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
Fiabilité et pannes de la Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Twingo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
List of Renault enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault TwingoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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