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1.3 TCe vs 1.8 T 20v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 T 20v carries less risk than the 1.3 TCe: 32/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the 1.8 T 20v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Turbo wear and oil consumption».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 T 20v

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

16 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 1.8 T 20v reliable?

With up-to-date maintenance, the 20-valve 1.8T has a reputation as a powerful, durable engine for its time, but owner reports document recurring faults: ignition coils (especially on 2001 to 2003 units), water pump and air mass meter, and less often the turbo -sometimes linked to growing oil consumption- and the timing chain tensioner.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.8 T 20v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 1.8 T 20v
1.3 TCe1.8 T 20v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³1,781 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power109–163 hp150–225 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][10][11][12]1996–2006[13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk32Moderate 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: Turbo wear and oil consumption
  2. Medium severity: Water pump failure
  3. Medium severity: Timing chain tensioner noise and wear
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]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
  • 1.8 T 20v 150 hp (AEB/AGU/ARZ/AUM, 1996-2005)[5][9]
  • 1.8 T 20v 180 hp (AUQ, 1998-2006)[6][7]
  • 1.8 T 20v 225 hp quattro (BAM, 1999-2006)[7]
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

1.8 T 20v

See the 11 models with the 1.8 T 20v

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 1.8 T 20v

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. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen Golf IVFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen PassatFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Audi A3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Audi TTFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Seat LeónFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. List of Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Audi TTWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. SEAT LeónWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. SEAT ToledoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026