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1.3 TCe vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT carries less risk than the 1.3 TCe: 23/100 (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 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

23

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 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT reliable?

The Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (K12B/K12C/K12M) is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a timing chain and indirect injection, fitted since 2008 to the Splash, Swift, Ignis and Baleno, with an SHVS mild-hybrid variant since 2016. It is reliable: there is no serious documented fault with the engine block itself; the main points are a clutch that wears out sooner than expected on some cars and two SHVS recalls that have already been resolved.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
1.3 TCe1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp82–92 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][9][10][11]since 2008[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk23Low risk
Documented faults55
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: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure
  2. Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software
  3. Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall
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 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)[7]
  • 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)[8][12][13]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[8]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French