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1.3 TCe vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo: 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 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

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

10 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 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo reliable?

Mazda's 2.3 DISI Turbo (L3-VDT, 2005-2013) is powerful but demanding: the timing chain, the turbo and oil sludge are its weak points; only buy one with a good oil service history.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
1.3 TCe2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³2,261 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp256–263 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][7][8][9]2005–2013[4][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk63High risk
Documented faults53
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 stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo
  2. High severity: Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI Turbo
  3. Medium severity: Oil consumption and sludge in the 2.3 DISI Turbo engine
Most expensive documented repairup to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure[1][2]up to €2,200Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI TurboPublished figure[5]
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]
  • 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo 256-260 hp (L3-VDT, 2005-2009)[4][5]
  • 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo (L3-VDT, 2010-2013)[4][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

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

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. Mazda L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. Problemas Mazda CX-7Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. 2009 Mazda CX-7 engine problemsCarComplaints · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 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. Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026