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BMW B48 / B38 vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the BMW B48 / B38: 21/100 versus 24/100 (both low risk). The BMW B48 / B38 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU»; the Honda IMA híbrido has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low 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

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B48 / B38 reliable?

The BMW B48 (2.0 turbo, from 2014) and its three-cylinder sibling, the B38 (1.5), have a reputation as reliable engines within BMW's modern range: there is no serious, widespread fault on record, unlike the timing chain on the N47 diesel or the EGR fire risk on the B47. Keep an eye on the cooling circuit, the oil seals near the turbo and the VANOS, and the carbon build-up typical of direct injection; BMW revised the timing chain in 2018 (B48TU update).[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 faults

Is the Honda IMA híbrido reliable?

Honda's IMA hybrid system (Insight II, Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z and Civic Hybrid) has a good reputation for reliability in the British press, and its documented weak point is the ageing of the high-voltage battery, which turns on the IMA warning light. There were also two one-off campaigns: the DC/DC converter on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and the CR-Z software.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and Honda IMA híbrido
BMW B48 / B38Honda IMA híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,998 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power136–312 hp88–132 hp
Productionsince 2014[1][7][8]1999–2016[5][9][10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk21Low risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS
  3. High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU
  1. Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on
  2. High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)
  3. Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)[2]
  • B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)[2]
  • B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)[2][13]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[2]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[5][6]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[5][14][15]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[12][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[4][17][18]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[4][12][16]
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

BMW B48 / B38

See the 20 models with the BMW B48 / B38

Honda IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the Honda IMA híbrido

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. BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  16. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German