BMW N13 vs 0.9 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 0.9 TCe carries less risk than the BMW N13: 49/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear»; the 0.9 TCe has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak at the thermostat housing».

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

0.9 TCe

Moderate risk · 3 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 27 September 20268 sources How we work

Is the BMW N13 reliable?

The BMW N13 (2011-2016), BMW's first turbocharged four-cylinder in three decades, powered the 114i, 116i, 118i and 120i (F20/F21) and the 316i (F30). It derives from the Prince engine developed with PSA, the same origin as the 1.6 THP. In 2013 BMW issued a technical service bulletin over timing chain and tensioner wear; oil consumption and carbon build-up on the injectors are other weak points shared with that family.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW N13 faults

Is the 0.9 TCe reliable?

The 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) is a three-cylinder turbo with a good reliability reputation, better than that of its sibling the 1.2 TCe: it does not share the same oil consumption or the same rate of chain problems. Its most-cited weak point is a coolant leak at the thermostat housing, which if ignored can end up damaging the head gasket; chain, turbo and lambda sensor cases appear less often.^[4][5]

See the 5 of the 0.9 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and 0.9 TCe
Item	BMW N13	0.9 TCe
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	898 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	102–177 hp	90 hp
Production	2011–2016^[1][2]	2012–2024^{[4][5][6][7][8]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	49Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	1	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: High oil consumption Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure	High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	114i 102 hp (75 kW, 2012-2015)^[2][3] 116i / 316i 136 hp (100 kW, 2011-2015)^[2][3] 118i 170 hp (125 kW, 2011-2016)^[2][3] 120i 177 hp (130 kW, 2015-2016)^[2][3]	0.9 TCe 90 (H4Bt, 2012-2024)^[4][5]
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

BMW N13

0.9 TCe

See the 8 models with the 0.9 TCe

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the 0.9 TCe

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Sources

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

BMW N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Tickende Zeitbombe: So zuverlässig ist der Prince-Motor von PSA und BMWGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 13 March 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité des 0.9 TCeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mercedes-Benz M281 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Dacia SanderoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish