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1.0 / 1.25 MPi vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 / 1.25 MPi carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 23/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.0 / 1.25 MPi has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

1.0 / 1.25 MPi

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 16v

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

26 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 / 1.25 MPi reliable?

The 1.0 and 1.25 (also sold as the "1.2") MPi are naturally aspirated engines with no turbo and no direct injection: they suffer neither the injector carbon build-up nor the turbo faults of the same group's 1.0 T-GDI, and there are no manufacturer campaigns or serious engine faults documented. Their real weak point, documented across several models from both brands, is a clutch that many owners describe as worn or slipping sooner than expected, from 30,000 km in one case.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 2 of the 1.0 / 1.25 MPi 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.[7][8][9][10]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 / 1.25 MPi and 1.2 16v
1.0 / 1.25 MPi1.2 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,149 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power65–87 hp60–76 hp
Productionsince 2011[1][11][12][13][14][15]2001–2020[16][17][18][19]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Premature clutch wear and slipping
  2. Low severity: Unstable idle and occasional stalling when cold
  1. High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)
  3. Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNoneNone
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 / 1.25 MPi

With the 1.2 16v

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. Hyundai Kappa engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Kia Stonic (YB): Bekannte Probleme, Mängel & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Kia Picanto (2011-2017): avis, qualités et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Kia Rio (2011-2016): avis, qualités et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Hyundai i10 (2007-2013): avis, qualités et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Hyundai i10 (2013-2020): avis, qualités et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Hyundai i10Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Kia PicantoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Kia RioWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Hyundai i20Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Kia StonicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  19. Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Kia Picanto: Bekannte Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  21. Kia Picanto (2017-): avis, qualités et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Kia Rio (2017): avis, qualités et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  25. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  26. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French