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1.3 TCe vs 2.3 VR5 (V5): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 VR5 (V5) 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 2.3 VR5 (V5) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 VR5 (V5)

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

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 2.3 VR5 (V5) reliable?

The 2.3-litre VR5 is a naturally aspirated five-cylinder with the timing chain at the rear of the engine. Gebrauchtwagenberater rates it as a buy with no known problems in the Golf IV, but in the Bora it warns that the chain sometimes stretches; AutoHints adds the coils and the plastic coolant parts as points to watch.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.3 VR5 (V5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 2.3 VR5 (V5)
1.3 TCe2.3 VR5 (V5)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³2,324 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp150–170 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][8][9][10]1997–2006[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults53
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: Timing chain stretch
  2. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  3. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the hoses and thermostat housing
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]
  • 2.3 VR5 10v 150 hp (AGZ; 1997-2001)[5][6]
  • 2.3 VR5 20v 170 hp (AQN, AZX; 2000-2006)[5][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

2.3 VR5 (V5)

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 2.3 VR5 (V5)

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. VW Golf 4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. VW Bora (1J2) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Engine 2.3 VR5 (AGZ) 150 HP: Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used-car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Volkswagen 2.3 VR5 20V (AQN): Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  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. VR5 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. VR-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German