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1.3 TCe vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.3 TCe and the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 tie on our risk index: 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Head gasket damaged after overheating».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

36

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

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 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 reliable?

The TU is one of PSA's most widely built petrol engines: more than 15.6 million units between 1986 and 2014. It is simple (no turbo, no direct injection or particulate filter, belt-driven timing) and has a reputation for durability. The faults owners cite most are cheap wear parts -ignition coils, sensors and thermostat- and not block failures or cylinder head design flaws.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
1.3 TCe1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power109–163 hp75–112 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][8][9][10]1994–2014[4][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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. High severity: Head gasket damaged after overheating
  2. Medium severity: Ignition coils that fail and cause jerking
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat stuck open or closed
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]
  • TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014)[5][6]
  • TU5 1.6 88-90 hp 8v (TU5JP, from 1994)[12][13]
  • TU5 1.6 16v 109-112 hp (TU5JP4/TU5NFU, from 2000)[5][6][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
None
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

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

See the 10 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

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. Moteur PSA TUWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. PSA TU engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Citroën XsaraWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish