1.3 TCe vs M111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the M111: 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the M111 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.3 TCe

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M111

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 20269 sources How 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 M111 reliable?

The M111 is the four-cylinder petrol engine Mercedes-Benz fitted from 1992 to 2006 in the C-Class (W202 and the early years of the W203), the E-Class (W210), the CLK (C208), the SLK (R170) and the Sprinter, in naturally aspirated form and with a mechanical supercharger (Kompressor). A German used-car guide describes it as reliable when well maintained, with limited weak points: the head gasket and an oil leak into the camshaft adjuster wiring.^[4][5]

See the 5 of the M111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and M111
Item	1.3 TCe	M111
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,332 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	109–163 hp	122–197 hp
Production	since 2018^[3][6][7][8]	1992–2006^[4][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	High severity	Medium severity
Main faults	High severity: Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault High severity: Blown fuel pump fuse Medium severity: Unstable idle, juddering and stalling caused by the injectors	Medium severity: Head gasket failure with coolant loss Medium severity: Camshaft adjuster oil leak into the wiring Medium severity: Mechanical supercharger (Kompressor) wear at high mileage
Most expensive documented repair	up 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]	M111 naturally aspirated 1.8/2.0/2.2/2.3 (E18/E20/E22/E23)^[4][5] M111 Kompressor 2.0/2.3 (E20 ML/E23 ML)^[4][5]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

M111

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the M111

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

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
Fiabilité moteur 1.3 TCeAuto Platinium · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mercedes-Benz M111 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes M111: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mercedes-Benz M 111Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German