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Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: 21/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

32

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

24 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.[4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Honda IMA híbrido1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power88–132 hp75–120 hp
Production1999–2016[2][8][9][10][11]1991–2013[12][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults36
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: Timing belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[17]
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][18][19]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[11][20]
  • 1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)[4][21]
  • 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)[5][22]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[1][23][24]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[1][11][20]
  • 1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)[7]
  • 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)[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

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

See the 29 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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.

  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. VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  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. Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  20. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  21. Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  22. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  24. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German