1.3 TCe vs M270/M274: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the M270/M274: 36/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the M270/M274 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Camshaft breakage due to a defective weld (2015 units)».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M270/M274

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202610 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 M270/M274 reliable?

The M270 (transverse, front-wheel drive) and the M274 (longitudinal, rear-wheel drive) are the family of turbocharged, direct-injection 4-cylinder engines that Mercedes-Benz has fitted since 2011 in 1.6 and 2.0 litres. They are generally solid engines —the timing chain no longer gives trouble— but with documented faults: camshaft breakage caused by a defective weld (2015) and, on the M274, oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster into the connector.^[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the M270/M274 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and M270/M274
Item	1.3 TCe	M270/M274
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,332 cm³	1,991 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	109–163 hp	102–245 hp
Production	since 2018^[3][7][8][9]	since 2011^[4][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical 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	Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a defective weld (2015 units) Medium severity: Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster into the electrical connector (M274) Medium severity: Coolant leaks: thermostat and expansion tank
Most expensive documented repair	up to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure^[1][2]	up to €500NOx sensor failure (code P2200) on the M274Published 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]	M270 1.6 turbo 102-156 hp^[6] M270 2.0 turbo 156-218 hp^[6] M274 2.0 turbo 156-245 hp^[5][6]
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

M270/M274

See the 9 models with the M270/M274

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the M270/M274

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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 M270 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes M274: Typische Probleme & HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mercedes M270: Typische Probleme & 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 Clase A (2012): información técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish