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MotorFiable

1.2 TCe vs 1.8 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 TCe carries less risk than the 1.2 TCe: 32/100 (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 1.8 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 TCe

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

15 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 1.8 TCe reliable?

The 1.8 TCe (M5P) in the Alpine A110 and the Mégane R.S. IV has no documented endemic faults. What has been published are recalls for the A110: the oil pressure solenoid valve (2019) and the fuel pump (2021 and 2023). We have found no recalls or complaints about this engine in the Mégane R.S.[6][7][8][9]

See the 2 of the 1.8 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and 1.8 TCe
1.2 TCe1.8 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³1,798 cm³
TimingChain—
Power100–130 hp252–350 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][10][11]2017–2026[9][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults22
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. High severity: A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars
  2. High severity: A110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hot
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][14][15]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]
  • 1.8 TCe 280–300 hp (M5P, Mégane R.S. IV, 2018–2023)[6][8][9]
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][15]
  • 1.8 TCe 252–350 hp (M5P, Alpine A110, 2017–2026)[6][8]
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

1.8 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the 1.8 TCe

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. Rappels Alpine A110 (2019). Risque de casse moteurL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 August 2019 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  7. Rappel Alpine A110. La pompe à essence de 2 849 exemplaires remplacéeL'argus · Motoring press · published 7 September 2021 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  8. Alpine A110. Un nouveau rappel pour remplacer des pompes à essenceL'argus · Motoring press · published 25 October 2023 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  9. Renault Mégane IVWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  10. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  13. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  14. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. 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