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BMW B58 vs 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT carries less risk than the BMW B58: 25/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT

25

Moderate 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

20 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B58 reliable?

The B58 (3.0 turbo straight-six, since 2015) is considered robust and less troublesome than the N54/N55 it replaced, and the sources do not document widespread internal failures. The known faults are on the periphery: the plastic oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation, gaskets and coolant. On units built before 2021 there are also US reports of an oil pump with a plastic housing.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW B58 faults

Is the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT reliable?

The Ti-VCT is Ford's family of naturally aspirated petrol engines (Sigma, Zetec-SE or Duratec), in 1.25, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 litres, fitted to the Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, B-Max, EcoSport and Ka+ between 2003 and 2022. It is a reliable engine in general: its best-documented fault, a variable valve timing actuator that could seize, is concentrated in the oldest units (Focus II and C-Max I) and was corrected afterwards.[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
BMW B581.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power290–441 hp60–125 hp
Productionsince 2015[9][10]2003–2022[5][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults64
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing
  2. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing
  3. Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)
  1. Medium severity: Ti-VCT actuator or solenoid valve failure on the early units
  2. Medium severity: Higher-than-expected oil consumption
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, water pump and coolant loss
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)[2][3]
  • 1.6 Ti-VCT 85/105/120/125 hp (revised actuator)[7][8][13]
  • 1.5 Ti-VCT 110/112 hp (Ford EcoSport)[14]
  • 1.2 Ti-VCT 70/85 hp, 1,196 cc (Ford Ka+)[15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)[2][3][16]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][16]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
  • 1.25 Ti-VCT 60/75/82 hp[17][18]
  • 1.4 Ti-VCT 90/96/97 hp[13][18]
  • 1.6 Ti-VCT 115/117 hp (first actuator design, Focus II and C-Max I)[6][19][20]
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 B58

See the 15 models with the BMW B58

1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT

See the 8 models with the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT

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. The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
  2. BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
  3. The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
  4. ¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Ford Sigma engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Ford Focus Mk2: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Ford Focus: Probleme, Rückrufe, KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Ford C-Max Mk2: Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  10. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  11. Ford FiestaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Ford C-MaxWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Ford B-Max: alle bekannten ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Ford EcoSport (ab 2012): typische Probleme & MängelGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Ford Ka+ (2016-2020): typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. How A Plastic Part On BMW's B58 Engine Can Turn An Oil Change Into A $3,000 RepairThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 28 March 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026
  17. Ford Fiesta – Typische Probleme & Krankheiten (MK6, MK7, MK8)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  18. Fiabilité et pannes Ford FiestaFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Ford C-Max Mk1: Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Focus 2Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French