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M60 and M62 vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the M60 and M62: 21/100 (low risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The M60 and M62 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides»; 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

M60 and M62

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

19 sourcesHow we work

Is the M60 and M62 reliable?

BMW's M60 and M62 V8s have a reputation for durability if the cooling system is looked after, but the M62 carries two well-documented weak points: the plastic chain guides of the timing chain and, from 1998, the VANOS seals. The M60 suffered cylinder wear from Nikasil with sulphur-contaminated petrol.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the M60 and M62 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.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M60 and M62 and Honda IMA híbrido
M60 and M62Honda IMA híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power218–347 hp88–132 hp
Production1992–2005[4][8][9][10]1999–2016[6][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk21Low risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides
  2. Critical severity: Cylinder wear in the M60 (and some early M62s) from the Nikasil coating
  3. Medium severity: Worn seals on the M62 TU VANOS unit
  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 versionsNone
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[6][7]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[6][15][16]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[14][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M60B30, 3.0 litres (218 hp; 1992-1996)[1][2][4]
  • M60B40, 4.0 litres (286 hp; 1992-1996)[1][3][4]
  • M62B35, 3.5 litres (235 hp; 1996-1998)[1][2]
  • M62TUB35, 3.5 litres (238-245 hp; 1998-2003)[1][2]
  • M62B44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1996-1998)[1][2]
  • M62TUB44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1998-2005)[1][2]
  • M62TUB46, 4.6 litres (347 hp; 2002-2004)[1][2]
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[5][18][19]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[5][14][17]
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

M60 and M62

Honda IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

With the M60 and M62

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 M62 V8 Engine Guide: Problems, Reliability, TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 27 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. BMW M62 4.4 V8 (1996-2003): problemas conocidosEnginescope · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. BMW 7er (1994-2002): Schwachstellen und MotorenAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  4. BMW M60Wikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. BMW M60Wikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. BMW M62Wikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. BMW M62Wikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Honda L engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  15. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  16. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Encyclopedia · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  17. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  18. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German