1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 and the 1.2 16v tie on our risk index: 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Head gasket damaged after overheating»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate 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 27 September 202622 sources How we work

Is the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 reliable?

The TU is one of PSA's most widely built petrol engines: more than 15.6 million units between 1986 and 2014. It is simple (no turbo, no direct injection or particulate filter, belt-driven timing) and has a reputation for durability. The faults owners cite most are cheap wear parts -ignition coils, sensors and thermostat- and not block failures or cylinder head design flaws.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 and 1.2 16v
Item	1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–112 hp	60–76 hp
Production	1986–2014^[1][9][10]	2001–2020^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Head gasket damaged after overheating Medium severity: Ignition coils that fail and cause jerking Medium severity: Thermostat stuck open or closed	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	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014)^[2][3] TU5 1.6 88-90 hp 8v (TU5JP, from 1994)^[10][15] TU5 1.6 16v 109-112 hp (TU5JP4/TU5NFU, from 2000)^[2][3][4]	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[5][6][7][8][16][17][18][19]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	TU9 1.0 and TU1 1.1 (954 and 1,124 cc, 45-60 hp, 1986-2014)^[20][21][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 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

See the 11 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

1.2 16v

See the 12 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

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.

Moteur PSA TUWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · 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
PSA TU engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 206Wikipedia (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
Citroën XsaraWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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 Citroën Saxo (1996-2003) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 106 (1991-2003) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Quelle citadine d'occasion choisir ?L'argus · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French