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Honda IMA híbrido vs Rover K-Series: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the Rover K-Series: 21/100 (low risk) versus 46/100 (moderate risk). 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)»; the Rover K-Series has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Head gasket failure».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

Rover K-Series

46

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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 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.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Is the Rover K-Series reliable?

The Rover K-Series has one very well-known fault: the head gasket, which according to Diariomotor can fail at under 100,000 km and which technical sources link to a small cooling circuit and a badly placed thermostat. The usual repair uses the multi-layer (MLS) gasket developed for the Freelander; the other two documented faults (sunken liners and coolant leaks) are related to that same circuit.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Rover K-Series faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and Rover K-Series
Honda IMA híbridoRover K-Series
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power88–132 hp60–160 hp
Production1999–2016[2][8][9][10][11]1990–2005[5][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Head gasket failure
  2. High severity: Sunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheating
  3. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hoses
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[2][3]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[2][13][14]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[11][15]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[1][16][17]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[1][11][15]
  • 1.1 K8 60 hp / K16 75 hp (Rover 25, 1998-2005)[4][7]
  • 1.4 8V/16V 74-103 hp (14K2F / 14K4F, 1995-2005)[4][6]
  • 1.6 16V 109-116 hp (16K4F, 1995-2005)[4][6]
  • 1.8 16V 117-136 hp (18K4F, 1995-2005)[4][6][18]
  • 1.8 VVC 145-160 hp (18K4K, 1995-2005)[18][19]
  • 1.8 T turbo 150-160 hp (18K4T, 2002-2005)[4][7]
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

Honda IMA híbrido

Rover K-Series

See the 12 models with the Rover K-Series

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the Rover K-Series

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Sources

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

  1. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  3. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Guía de compra del MG TF de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 7 November 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. MG TF (2002)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Choosing the correct K Series Head Gasket KitDMGRS · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Cooling and heating (K-Series: ZR, ZS, ZT, MGF, TF)MGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Rover K-series engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  14. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  18. MG ZR ZS ZT & Modern Engine & FuelMGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. MGF & TF Headgasket Repair KitsMGOC Spares · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026