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1.3 TCe vs N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

57

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

14 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 N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 reliable?

The N42 (2001-2004, E46) and the N45 (2003-2011, 116i and 316i) are four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engines with double VANOS and a timing chain; only the N42 has Valvetronic. The most cited weakness is chain stretch caused by the tensioner, followed by oil leaks and, on the N42, Valvetronic faults.[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
1.3 TCeN42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp115–143 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][7][8][9]2001–2011[4][5][10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk57High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity21
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 stretch and tensioner wear
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and oil consumption
  3. Medium severity: Eccentric shaft sensor and Valvetronic motor faults (N42)
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]
  • N42B18, 1.8 litres with Valvetronic (115 hp; 2001-2004)[4][6]
  • N42B20, 2.0 litres with Valvetronic (143 hp; 2001-2004)[4][6][14]
  • N45B16 and N45NB16, 1.6 litres without Valvetronic (116 hp; 2003-2011)[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

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

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 N42 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. BMW N45 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. BMW N42 Engine Guide: Reliability, Efficiency, Tuning, Pros and ConsBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 21 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. BMW N42Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. BMW N42Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. BMW N45Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. BMW N45Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. N42 2.0 Motoru: kronik sorunlarAraclo · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language