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

According to our risk index, the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 carries less risk than the 1.4 and 1.6 16v: 36/100 versus 45/100 (both 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 1.4 and 1.6 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt breakage or premature failure».

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 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 1.4 and 1.6 16v reliable?

The K4J (1.4) and K4M (1.6), both naturally aspirated 16-valve units, are simple and generally reliable petrol engines: no source consulted documents oil consumption or faults that destroy the block. Their most-cited weak point is the ignition coils, followed by the crankshaft sensor and, on versions with a variable valve timing unit, its pulley; a neglected belt can cause serious damage, as one case in the Renault Laguna II documents.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 and 1.4 and 1.6 16v
Item	1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5	1.4 and 1.6 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–112 hp	75–135 hp
Production	1986–2014^[1][9][10]	since 1998^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	6
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	Medium severity: Ignition coil failure High severity: Timing belt breakage or premature failure Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure
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][14] TU5 1.6 16v 109-112 hp (TU5JP4/TU5NFU, from 2000)^[2][3][4]	1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020)^[8][15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	TU9 1.0 and TU1 1.1 (954 and 1,124 cc, 45-60 hp, 1986-2014)^[16][17][18]	1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012)^[19][20] 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020)^[7][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

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

See the 14 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

1.4 and 1.6 16v

See the 13 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

With the 1.4 and 1.6 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 Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Laguna 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · 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
Renault K-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur K RenaultWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Citroën XsaraWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-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
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 de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French