Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.2 12V: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.2 12V: 21/100 (low risk) versus 57/100 (high 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 1.2 12V has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 12V

High risk · 2 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 8 October 202621 sources How 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 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.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 12V faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.2 12V
Item	Honda IMA híbrido	1.2 12V
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,198 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	88–132 hp	54–70 hp
Production	1999–2016^{[2][9][10][11][12]}	2001–2014^[4][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	57High risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006) Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls	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	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][15][16] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)^[12][17]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)^[1][18][19] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)^[1][12][17]	1.2 54/60 hp (AWY, BMD, BBM, 2001-2014)^[4][6] 1.2 64/70 hp (BME, CGPA, 2002-2014)^{[4][6][20][21]}
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

Honda IMA híbrido

1.2 12V

See the 7 models with the 1.2 12V

Other comparisons

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With the 1.2 12V

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Sources

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

DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 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
Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
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 Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 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