M112 / M113 vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M112 / M113 carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 32/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The M112 / M113 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Crankshaft pulley (vibration damper) failure»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

M112 / M113

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 8 October 202620 sources How we work

Is the M112 / M113 reliable?

The M112 (V6, 2.4 to 3.7 litres) and the M113 (V8, 4.3 to 5.5 litres) are Mercedes-Benz petrol engines from 1997 to 2011 (the V6 ends earlier, around 2006). The sources treat them as reliable if maintained: the documented faults are mainly oil leaks from the covers, the crankshaft sensor and, on some units, the crankshaft pulley.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the M112 / M113 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.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M112 / M113 and 1.2 16v
Item	M112 / M113	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	170–582 hp	60–76 hp
Production	1997–2011^[1][8][9]	2001–2020^{[10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Crankshaft pulley (vibration damper) failure Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley failure	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	M112 naturally aspirated V6 2.4 to 3.7 (E24, E26, E28, E32, E37; 1997-2006)^[2][3][18] M112 E32 ML supercharged (C 32 AMG, SLK 32 AMG; 2000-2004)^[2][19] M113 naturally aspirated V8 4.3, 5.0 and 5.4 AMG (E43, E50, E55; 1997-2010)^[2][18][20] M113K supercharged V8 5.4 (AMG 55 Kompressor; 2002-2011)^[2][8]	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

M112 / M113

See the 14 models with the M112 / M113

1.2 16v

See the 11 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the M112 / M113

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.

Mercedes-Benz M112 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mercedes M-Klasse W163: Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 4 June 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Mercedes E-Klasse W211, S211: Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 12 February 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
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
Mercedes-Benz M113 / M155 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mercedes-Benz M 112Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
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
Mercedes-Benz W210Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiabilité Mercedes SLK (1996-2004)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Motorinstandsetzung M113: Mercedes G-KlasseVÄTH Motorentechnik · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German