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1.3 TCe vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) carries less risk than the 1.3 TCe: 14/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

13 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 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) reliable?

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.[4][5][6]

See the of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
1.3 TCe1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³1,198 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp80–98 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][7][8][9]2010–2017[7][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults51
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityHigh severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart
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]
  • 1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)[4][5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
  • 1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)[6][12][13]
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

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

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. Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  5. Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  6. Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  11. Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language