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1.3 TCe vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

18 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.[4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
1.3 TCe1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power109–163 hp75–120 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][8][9][10]1991–2013[11][12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity22
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 belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairup to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure[1][2]up to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[16]
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]
  • 1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)[4][17]
  • 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)[5][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
  • 1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)[7]
  • 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)[4][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

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

See the 33 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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 IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 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. Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French