1.4 Turbo vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 16v carries less risk than the 1.4 Turbo: 36/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.4 Turbo has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Early engine failure from a cracked piston»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

1.4 Turbo

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 27 September 202622 sources How we work

Is the 1.4 Turbo reliable?

The Opel/Vauxhall 1.4 Turbo (GM Small Gasoline Engine; A14NET, A14NEL, B14NET and, from 2015-2016, B14NEH/B14XFT/D14XFT) powered much of Opel's petrol range between 2009 and 2018, with outputs from 120 to 152 hp. There is no documented timing chain failure pattern, but there is one for the water pump and thermostat housing, the ignition coils, turbocharger wear and, in fewer cases, early engine failure from a cracked piston.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 4 of the 1.4 Turbo 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.^{[7][8][9][10]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 Turbo and 1.2 16v
Item	1.4 Turbo	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,364 cm³	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–152 hp	60–76 hp
Production	2009–2018^{[1][11][12][13]}	2001–2020^{[14][15][16][17]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Early engine failure from a cracked piston High severity: Whistling, loss of power and turbocharger wear Medium severity: Coolant leak from the water pump or thermostat housing	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	up to €600Ignition coil failurePublished figure^[3]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[7][8][9][10][18][19][20][21]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.4 Turbo 120-140 hp (A14NET/A14NEL/B14NET, indirect injection, 2009-2015)^[2][3][4][5] 1.4 Turbo 150-152 hp (B14NEH/B14XFT/D14XFT, from 2015-2016)^[6][22]	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

1.4 Turbo

See the 13 models with the 1.4 Turbo

1.2 16v

See the 12 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 Turbo

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.

Opel Astra JWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra 3 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Mokka : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Meriva 2 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Zafira Tourer : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra 5 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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 InsigniaWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Opel MokkaWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
Opel Adam : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French