BMW N20 vs 1.2 12V: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 12V carries less risk than the BMW N20: 57/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The BMW N20 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)»; the 1.2 12V has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

BMW N20

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 12V

High risk · 2 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 202612 sources How we work

Is the BMW N20 reliable?

The BMW N20 (2011-2017) was the first turbocharged four-cylinder with which BMW replaced its naturally aspirated six-cylinders in models such as the 320i, 328i and X3, and it is generally mechanically sound. Its best-documented weak point is the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015; oil leaks, the electric water pump and, to a lesser extent, the turbo and the high-pressure fuel pump are also known issues.^[1][2]

See the 5 of the BMW N20 faults

Is the 1.2 12V reliable?

The 1.2 12V is a simple, low-power, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine (54-70 hp), with two documented design faults: the timing chain tensioner, which can end up destroying the engine, and -on the Volkswagen Polo IV- a catalytic converter too close to the cylinder head that can burn the exhaust valves. Ignition coil failures are also common, and there are isolated cases of oil consumption and vibration.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 12V faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N20 and 1.2 12V
Item	BMW N20	1.2 12V
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,997 cm³	1,198 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	156–245 hp	54–70 hp
Production	2011–2017^[1][8]	2001–2014^[3][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	57High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015) Critical severity: Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk) Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear High severity: Cylinder head and valve damage from exhaust gas backflow (Volkswagen Polo IV) Medium severity: Higher-than-normal oil consumption
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016)^[2] N20B20B 184 hp (135 kW, 2011-2017)^[2] N20B20 218 hp (160 kW, 2012-2015)^[2] N20B20A 245 hp (180 kW, 2011-2017)^[2]	1.2 54/60 hp (AWY, BMD, BBM, 2001-2014)^[3][5] 1.2 64/70 hp (BME, CGPA, 2002-2014)^{[3][5][11][12]}
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 N20

See the 8 models with the BMW N20

1.2 12V

See the 7 models with the 1.2 12V

Other comparisons

With the BMW N20

With the 1.2 12V

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.

BMW N20Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
VW Polo 4 (9N): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Volkswagen Polo 4Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat Ibiza (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Seat Ibiza III (2002-2008): Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat Ibiza (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
VW EA111Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
VW Polo IVWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Volkswagen Polo 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda Fabia 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French