N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 16v carries less risk than the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.2 16v

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 2 November 202620 sources How we work

Is the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 reliable?

The N42 (2001-2004, E46) and the N45 (2003-2011, 116i and 316i) are four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engines with double VANOS and a timing chain; only the N42 has Valvetronic. The most cited weakness is chain stretch caused by the tensioner, followed by oil leaks and, on the N42, Valvetronic faults.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 faults

Is the 1.2 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 and 1.2 16v
Item	N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	115–143 hp	60–76 hp
Production	2001–2011^{[1][2][8][9][10][11]}	2001–2020^{[12][13][14][15]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and oil consumption Medium severity: Eccentric shaft sensor and Valvetronic motor faults (N42)	High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[4][5][6][7][16][17][18][19]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N42B18, 1.8 litres with Valvetronic (115 hp; 2001-2004)^[1][3] N42B20, 2.0 litres with Valvetronic (143 hp; 2001-2004)^[1][3][20] N45B16 and N45NB16, 1.6 litres without Valvetronic (116 hp; 2003-2011)^[2]	None
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

N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

1.2 16v

See the 12 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0

With the 1.2 16v

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

BMW N42 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW N45 Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW N42 Engine Guide: Reliability, Efficiency, Tuning, Pros and ConsBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 21 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW N42Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW N42Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW N45Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW N45Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
N42 2.0 Motoru: kronik sorunlarAraclo · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language