2.0 TSI / TFSI vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) carries less risk than the 2.0 TSI / TFSI: 14/100 (low risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption»; the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

2.0 TSI / TFSI

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202617 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI reliable?

It depends above all on the generation. The earliest units (2008-2012, without Valvelift) have more oil consumption complaints and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear; from 2012 the Valvelift design reduced oil consumption but kept carbon build-up on the intake valves as a weak point until, around 2016, supplementary indirect injection was added. The thermostat housing with the integrated water pump leaks coolant in several generations.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI faults

Is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) reliable?

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.^[6][7][8]

See the of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TSI / TFSI and 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Item	2.0 TSI / TFSI	1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,984 cm³	1,198 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	170–320 hp	80–98 hp
Production	since 2008^[1][9]	2010–2017^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	14Low risk
Documented faults	5	1
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	High severity: High oil consumption Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves	Medium severity: Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart
Most expensive documented repair	up to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure^[13]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)^[1][5][14]	1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)^[6][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)^{[2][3][14][15]} 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)^[2][3][14]	1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)^[8][16][17]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 42 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

With the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motores TFSI: características, ventajas e inconvenientesAutofácil · Motoring press · published 18 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Nissan HR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 19 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language