1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?
According to our risk index, the 1.2 16v carries less risk than the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and breakage»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».
The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated
Is the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec reliable?
The naturally aspirated 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Ecotec engines from Opel/Vauxhall (GM Family 0; Z10XEP, Z12XEP/A12XER, Z14XEP/A14XER) powered much of the brand's small-car range between 2003 and 2019. It is a simple block with no systematically documented catastrophic engine failures, but with a timing chain tensioner that, according to several sources, does not last well, frequent coil failures and water pump or thermostat problems, and an Easytronic gearbox criticised for the way it changes gear.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
See the 6 of the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec faultsIs 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 faultsSide-by-side comparison
| Item | 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec | 1.2 16v |
|---|---|---|
| Technical data | ||
| Type | Engine | Engine |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Displacement | — | 1,149 cm³ |
| Timing | Chain | Timing belt (dry) |
| Power | 60–100 hp | 60–76 hp |
| Production | 1996–2019[11][12][13] | 2001–2020[14][15][16][17] |
| Reliability | ||
| Risk index (what is it?) | 59High risk | 36Moderate risk |
| Documented faults | 6 | 5 |
| Of high or critical severity | 1 | 1 |
| Worst severity | Critical severity | High severity |
| Main faults |
|
|
| Most expensive documented repair | up to €1,400Timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure[18] | No reliable data |
| Which versions to buy | ||
| BuyRecommended versions | None | |
| With cautionVersions to be cautious about | 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
Other comparisons
With the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 PureTech
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 PureTech
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 and 1.4 TSI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 TCe
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 EcoBoost
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.3 TCe
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 EcoBoost
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 TSI / TFSI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW B38 / B37
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW B48 / B38
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW B58
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M50 and M52
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW M54
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW N13
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW N20
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW N43/N46
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW N52 / N53
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW N54/N55
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs BMW N62 / N63
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 T-Jet
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.5 EcoBoost
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 EcoBoost
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.3 EcoBoost
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0-1.6 8v Endura-E, Duratec 8v and RoCam
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 and 1.2 de 3 cilindros (Onix and Tracker)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 8V (Family 1)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Honda IMA híbrido
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 T-GDI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 GDI / T-GDI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 / 2.0 Beta II
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 / 1.6 MPI Gamma
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 / 1.25 MPi
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 / 2.0 Nu
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs MZR gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Skyactiv-G
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M111
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M112 / M113
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M264/M254
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M260
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M271
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M272/M273
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M270/M274
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs M276
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs MIVEC gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Mitsubishi PHEV
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 DIG-T
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 Turbo
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.2 Ecotec gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Porsche MA1 / 9A1
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Porsche M96/M97
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Porsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4/1.6 VTi
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 THP
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 and 2.0 XU
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 0.9 TCe
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 SCe (B4D)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 TCe / SCe
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 and 1.6 8v
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 TCe
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 8v
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs E-Tech Híbrido
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Rover K-Series
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 VVT-i
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 Turbo
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 VVT-i
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.5 Hybrid
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 Dual VVT-i
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 Hybrid
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 and 2.4 VVT-i
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 and 2.5 Hybrid
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs Drive-E gasolina
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0 MPI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.2 12V
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.4 16v and 1.6 FSI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.8 T 20v
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.0 FSI
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 2.3 VR5 (V5)
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
- 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec vs VR6
With the 1.2 16v
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 PureTech
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 PureTech
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 and 1.4 TSI
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 TCe
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 EcoBoost
- 1.2 16v vs 1.3 TCe
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 EcoBoost
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 TSI / TFSI
- 1.2 16v vs Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
- 1.2 16v vs 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v
- 1.2 16v vs BMW B38 / B37
- 1.2 16v vs BMW B48 / B38
- 1.2 16v vs BMW B58
- 1.2 16v vs M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9
- 1.2 16v vs M50 and M52
- 1.2 16v vs BMW M54
- 1.2 16v vs BMW N13
- 1.2 16v vs BMW N20
- 1.2 16v vs N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
- 1.2 16v vs BMW N43/N46
- 1.2 16v vs BMW N52 / N53
- 1.2 16v vs BMW N54/N55
- 1.2 16v vs BMW N62 / N63
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 T-Jet
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo
- 1.2 16v vs 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly
- 1.2 16v vs 1.5 EcoBoost
- 1.2 16v vs 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 EcoBoost
- 1.2 16v vs 2.3 EcoBoost
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0-1.6 8v Endura-E, Duratec 8v and RoCam
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 and 1.2 de 3 cilindros (Onix and Tracker)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
- 1.2 16v vs 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 8V (Family 1)
- 1.2 16v vs Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
- 1.2 16v vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
- 1.2 16v vs Honda IMA híbrido
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 T-GDI
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 GDI / T-GDI
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 / 2.0 Beta II
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 / 1.6 MPI Gamma
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 / 1.25 MPi
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 / 2.0 Nu
- 1.2 16v vs Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
- 1.2 16v vs MZR gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs Skyactiv-G
- 1.2 16v vs M111
- 1.2 16v vs M112 / M113
- 1.2 16v vs M264/M254
- 1.2 16v vs M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
- 1.2 16v vs M260
- 1.2 16v vs M271
- 1.2 16v vs M272/M273
- 1.2 16v vs M270/M274
- 1.2 16v vs M276
- 1.2 16v vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
- 1.2 16v vs MIVEC gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs Mitsubishi PHEV
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 DIG-T
- 1.2 16v vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE
- 1.2 16v vs 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 Turbo
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
- 1.2 16v vs 2.2 Ecotec gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs Porsche MA1 / 9A1
- 1.2 16v vs Porsche M96/M97
- 1.2 16v vs Porsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4/1.6 VTi
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 THP
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 and 2.0 XU
- 1.2 16v vs 0.9 TCe
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 SCe (B4D)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 TCe / SCe
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 and 1.6 8v
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 TCe
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 8v
- 1.2 16v vs E-Tech Híbrido
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v
- 1.2 16v vs Rover K-Series
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
- 1.2 16v vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 VVT-i
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 Turbo
- 1.2 16v vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 VVT-i
- 1.2 16v vs 1.5 Hybrid
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 Dual VVT-i
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 Hybrid
- 1.2 16v vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 and 2.4 VVT-i
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 and 2.5 Hybrid
- 1.2 16v vs Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs Drive-E gasolina
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0 MPI
- 1.2 16v vs 1.2 12V
- 1.2 16v vs 1.4 16v and 1.6 FSI
- 1.2 16v vs 1.8 T 20v
- 1.2 16v vs 2.0 FSI
- 1.2 16v vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
- 1.2 16v vs 2.3 VR5 (V5)
- 1.2 16v vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
- 1.2 16v vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
- 1.2 16v vs VR6
Compare other engines
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Opel Corsa 3 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Opel Astra (2004-2010) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Opel Meriva (2003-2009) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Opel Adam : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Opel Astra H: Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 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
- GM Family 0 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Opel Corsa CWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Opel AdamWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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
- Opel Corsa 4 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 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
- Fiabilité Opel Corsa (1993-2000) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Opel Corsa B (1993-2000)Auto Bild · Motoring press · published May 2004 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- Vételi tanácsadó: Opel Corsa BAutonavigator.hu · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language