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M271 vs 1.6 THP: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M271 carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 59/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The M271 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and wear of the camshaft sprockets»; the 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)».

Risk index

M271

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 THP

64

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

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the M271 reliable?

The M271 is the four-cylinder petrol engine Mercedes-Benz fitted from 2002 to 2015, first with a mechanical supercharger (Kompressor) and, from 2009, with a turbo in the EVO revision. It has one well-documented weak point across the range: the timing chain and the camshaft sprockets can wear prematurely, a problem a specialist source describes as persistent even after the EVO redesign.[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the M271 faults

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M271 and 1.6 THP
M2711.6 THP
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,796 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power122–204 hp120–270 hp
Production2002–2015[2][3]2006–2018[4][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk64High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and wear of the camshaft sprockets
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster solenoids into the wiring
  3. Medium severity: Crankcase ventilation hose under the supercharger: it cracks and lets in false air
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)
  2. High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M271 Kompressor 1.6/1.8 (KE16/KE18)[1]
  • M271 EVO 1.8 turbo CGI (DE18 LA)[1]
  • 1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)[7]
  • 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)[5][6][10]
  • 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)[5][6][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

M271

See the 7 models with the M271

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

Other comparisons

With the M271

With the 1.6 THP

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. Mercedes M271: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  2. Mercedes-Benz M271 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Mercedes-Benz M 271Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026