2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 7/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina 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

2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 16v

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202618 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina reliable?

The petrol Ingeniums (2.0 with 200 to 300 hp and the 3.0 six-cylinder with mild hybridisation) have a considerably better reputation than the diesel, but very little data has been published. We have only been able to document chain noise on some 2.0 engines, with no serious faults or campaigns.^[1][2][3]

See the of the 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina fault

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 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina and 1.2 16v
Item	2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	200–400 hp	60–76 hp
Production	since 2016^[8][9]	2001–2020^{[10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	7Low risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	1	5
Of high or critical severity	0	1
Worst severity	Medium severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Timing chain and VCT unit noise on the 2.0 petrol	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][14][15][16][17]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 Ingenium petrol P200/P250 (200-250 hp, 2016-present)^[1][3][18] 2.0 Ingenium petrol P300 (300 hp, 2017-present)^[1][2] 3.0 Ingenium petrol inline-six MHEV (340-400 hp, 2019-present)^[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

2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina

See the 8 models with the 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina

1.2 16v

See the 11 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina

With the 1.2 16v

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Sources

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

Ingenium Engine Problems & Reliability GuideApex Auto Parts (UK) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Land Rover Ingenium Engine: What You Need to Know in 2026RCV (UK) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Range Rover Evoque Ingenium Engine Series: Buyer's GuideVogue Technics Engine Rebuild (UK) · Other source · consulted 29 October 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
Ingenium engine familyWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Land Rover Defender (L663)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
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
Range Rover Evoque 2.0 P250 Engine: Problems & CostsVogue Technics Engine Rebuild (UK) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026