BMW N13 vs 1.8 T 20v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 T 20v carries less risk than the BMW N13: 32/100 (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 1.8 T 20v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Turbo wear and oil consumption».

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.8 T 20v

Moderate 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

Reviewed on 27 September 202613 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 1.8 T 20v reliable?

With up-to-date maintenance, the 20-valve 1.8T has a reputation as a powerful, durable engine for its time, but owner reports document recurring faults: ignition coils (especially on 2001 to 2003 units), water pump and air mass meter, and less often the turbo -sometimes linked to growing oil consumption- and the timing chain tensioner.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 5 of the 1.8 T 20v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and 1.8 T 20v
Item	BMW N13	1.8 T 20v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,781 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	102–177 hp	150–225 hp
Production	2011–2016^[1][2]	1996–2006^{[10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High 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: Turbo wear and oil consumption Medium severity: Water pump failure Medium severity: Timing chain tensioner noise and wear
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]	1.8 T 20v 150 hp (AEB/AGU/ARZ/AUM, 1996-2005)^[5][9] 1.8 T 20v 180 hp (AUQ, 1998-2006)^[6][7] 1.8 T 20v 225 hp quattro (BAM, 1999-2006)^[7]
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

1.8 T 20v

See the 11 models with the 1.8 T 20v

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the 1.8 T 20v

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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 et pannes Volkswagen Golf IVFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen PassatFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Audi A3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Audi TTFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Seat LeónFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Audi TTWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
SEAT LeónWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
SEAT ToledoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026