Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?
According to our risk index, the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 25/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The Porsche MA1 / 9A1 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented»; 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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1 reliable?
Yes, it is noticeably more reliable than the M96/M97: it eliminated the intermediate shaft with its IMS bearing and, according to FCP Euro, the connecting rod bolt failures. What is documented is minor: carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, coolant pump leaks on the 991.1 and, rarely, bore scoring on the 997.2.[1][2][3][4]
See the 3 of the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 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.[5][6][7][8]
See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faultsSide-by-side comparison
| Item | Porsche MA1 / 9A1 | 1.2 16v |
|---|---|---|
| Technical data | ||
| Type | Engine | Engine |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Displacement | — | 1,149 cm³ |
| Timing | Chain | Timing belt (dry) |
| Power | 255–400 hp | 60–76 hp |
| Production | 2009–2016[1][4][9][10][11][12][13] | 2001–2020[14][15][16][17] |
| Reliability | ||
| Risk index (what is it?) | 25Moderate risk | 36Moderate risk |
| Documented faults | 3 | 5 |
| Of high or critical severity | 1 | 1 |
| Worst severity | Critical severity | High severity |
| Main faults |
| |
| Most expensive documented repair | No reliable data | No reliable data |
| Which versions to buy | ||
| BuyRecommended versions | ||
| 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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 PureTech
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 PureTech
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 and 1.4 TSI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 TCe
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 EcoBoost
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.3 TCe
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 EcoBoost
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 TSI / TFSI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW B38 / B37
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW B48 / B38
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW B58
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M50 and M52
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW M54
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW N13
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW N20
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs N42 and N45 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW N43/N46
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW N52 / N53
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW N54/N55
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs BMW N62 / N63
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 T-Jet
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.5 EcoBoost
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 EcoBoost
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.3 EcoBoost
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0-1.6 8v Endura-E, Duratec 8v and RoCam
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 and 1.2 de 3 cilindros (Onix and Tracker)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 8V (Family 1)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Honda IMA híbrido
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 T-GDI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 GDI / T-GDI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 / 2.0 Beta II
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 / 1.6 MPI Gamma
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 / 1.25 MPi
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 / 2.0 Nu
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs MZR gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Skyactiv-G
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M111
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M112 / M113
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M264/M254
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M260
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M271
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M272/M273
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M270/M274
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs M276
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs MIVEC gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Mitsubishi PHEV
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 DIG-T
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 Turbo
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.2 Ecotec gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Porsche M96/M97
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Porsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4/1.6 VTi
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 THP
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 and 2.0 XU
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 0.9 TCe
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 SCe (B4D)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 TCe / SCe
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 and 1.6 8v
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 TCe
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 8v
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs E-Tech Híbrido
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Rover K-Series
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 VVT-i
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 Turbo
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 VVT-i
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.5 Hybrid
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 Dual VVT-i
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 Hybrid
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 and 2.4 VVT-i
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 and 2.5 Hybrid
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs Drive-E gasolina
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0 MPI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 12V
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.4 16v and 1.6 FSI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.8 T 20v
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.0 FSI
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 2.3 VR5 (V5)
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
- Porsche MA1 / 9A1 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 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
- 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 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.
- The Definitive Guide To Porsche 997 Engines (M96.05, M97, MA1)FCP Euro · Other source · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
- Porsche 987: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · published 1 November 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
- Porsche 911: 5 Generationen im Gebrauchtwagen-CheckAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- Porsche 997Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- 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
- Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Porsche 991Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Differences between M96 and M97 enginesFlat Six Innovations · Other source · published 25 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
- List of Porsche enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 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
- 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
- Porsche Cayman and Boxster Common Problems: A Specialist Field GuideForeign Automotive · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Porsche 981: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026