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1.3 TCe vs BMW N20: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the BMW N20: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the BMW N20 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N20

63

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

9 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.3 TCe reliable?

The 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T (H5Ht at Renault and Dacia, HR13DDT at Nissan, M282 at Mercedes-Benz), developed with Daimler since 2018, has a clearly better record than its predecessor, the 1.2 TCe: no oil consumption or chain problems have been documented. It had manufacturing defects that have since been corrected (injectors, calibration, turbo, timing) and, on the Captur II and Clio V, a fuel pump fuse failure with no confirmed official fix.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.3 TCe faults

Is the BMW N20 reliable?

The BMW N20 (2011-2017) was the first turbocharged four-cylinder with which BMW replaced its naturally aspirated six-cylinders in models such as the 320i, 328i and X3, and it is generally mechanically sound. Its best-documented weak point is the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015; oil leaks, the electric water pump and, to a lesser extent, the turbo and the high-pressure fuel pump are also known issues.[4][5]

See the 5 of the BMW N20 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and BMW N20
1.3 TCeBMW N20
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³1,997 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp156–245 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][6][7][8]2011–2017[4][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk63High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault
  2. High severity: Blown fuel pump fuse
  3. Medium severity: Unstable idle, juddering and stalling caused by the injectors
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)
  2. Critical severity: Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing
Most expensive documented repairup to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure[1][2]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 and Mild Hybrid (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, corrected production from 2020)[1]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
  • N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016)[5]
  • N20B20B 184 hp (135 kW, 2011-2017)[5]
  • N20B20 218 hp (160 kW, 2012-2015)[5]
  • N20B20A 245 hp (180 kW, 2011-2017)[5]
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

1.3 TCe

See the 18 models with the 1.3 TCe

BMW N20

See the 8 models with the BMW N20

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the BMW N20

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. Renault-Dacia. Quel bilan fiabilité pour le moteur 1.3 TCe ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 5 April 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité moteur 1.3 TCeAuto Platinium · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. BMW N20Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German