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1.2 TCe vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 carries less risk than the 1.2 TCe: 41/100 (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 VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Wear of the high-pressure pump cam follower».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

41

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

13 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 VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 reliable?

The 2.0 TFSI EA113 (2004-2013) is a direct-injection turbo engine with one widely cited weak point: the high-pressure pump cam follower, which should be checked or replaced as a preventive measure. With the timing belt up to date, it is considered worth buying.[6][7][8]

See the 4 of the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
1.2 TCeVW 2.0 TFSI EA113
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³1,984 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power100–130 hp200–265 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][9][10]2004–2013[7][8][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk41Moderate risk
Documented faults24
Of high or critical severity21
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: Wear of the high-pressure pump cam follower
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves from direct injection
  3. Medium severity: PCV crankcase ventilation valve and oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][12][13]up to €900Wear of the high-pressure pump cam followerPublished figure[8]
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]
  • 2.0 TFSI 200 hp (AXX, BWA, BWE, BPY)[7][11]
  • 2.0 TFSI 230 hp (BYD, Golf GTI Edition 30)[8][11]
  • 2.0 TFSI 265 hp (BHZ, Audi S3 8P)[8][11]
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

VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

See the 8 models with the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

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. 2.0 TFSI EA113 upgrade bomba de alta presión BAR-TEK (seguidor de levas)BAR-TEK · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Audi A3 8P: puntos débiles y guía de compra (Schwachstellen)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. 2.0 TFSI (EA113): problemas conocidosAutoscore · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (2.0 TFSI EA113)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. 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