1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) vs VR6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) carries less risk than the VR6: 14/100 (low risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) has no documented serious faults; the VR6 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «VR6 timing chain and tensioners».

Risk index

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

VR6

High 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 2 November 202622 sources How we work

Is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) reliable?

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.^[1][2][3]

See the of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) fault

Is the VR6 reliable?

Its best-documented faults are the timing chain, with tensioners on the 12-valve versions and stretching on the 3.2 (R32, A3 8P, TT, Cayenne), and, to a lesser extent, the cooling system of the 12-valve versions. The 3.6 FSI comes out of the sources better than the 3.2.^[4][5][6]

See the 2 of the VR6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) and VR6
Item	1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)	VR6
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,198 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	80–98 hp	140–300 hp
Production	2010–2017^[7][8][9]	1991–2024^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	14Low risk	50High risk
Documented faults	1	2
Of high or critical severity	0	1
Worst severity	Medium severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart	Critical severity: VR6 timing chain and tensioners Medium severity: 12-valve VR6 cooling: water pump, thermostat and plastic pipes
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)^[1][2]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)^[3][13][14]	2.8 VR6 12V 140-174 hp (AAA, AMY, AES; 1991-2000)^[4][15] 2.9 VR6 12V 190 hp (ABV; 1994-1997)^[4] 2.8 V6 24V 204 hp (AQP, AUE, BDE, AMV, AYL; 1999-2008)^[5][16][17] 3.2 VR6 220-250 hp (BFH, BML, BDB, BMJ, BUB, BHE, BDL, BKK, AZZ, AXZ, CBRA; 2001-2010)^{[5][6][18][19]} 3.6 VR6 FSI 249-300 hp (BLV, BWS, CDVA, CCZB, CNNA, CMTA; 2005-2018)^{[6][20][21][22]}
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

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

VR6

See the 26 models with the VR6

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

With the VR6

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Sources

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

Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
VW Golf III VR6 (1991-1998)AutoBild · Motoring press · published 1 September 2003 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Gebrauchtwagen-Kaufberater: Was kann der Porsche Cayenne 9PA?AutoScout24 · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Nissan HR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
VR6 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR6-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW EA390Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf III (1991-1998)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Seat Leon I: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Bora (1J2): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf 4: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Audi TT: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Passat CC: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Probleme mit dem Porsche Cayenne (9PA y 92A)CarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French