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1.6 THP vs 1.8 and 2.0 XU: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 and 2.0 XU carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 39/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)»; the 1.8 and 2.0 XU has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Premature timing belt breakage in the 16-valve engines».

Risk index

1.6 THP

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 and 2.0 XU

39

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

19 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Is the 1.8 and 2.0 XU reliable?

These are naturally aspirated 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines with no serious documented design faults outside the 16-valve timing belt: the 1.8 16v built until late 1997 had a recall for premature breakages, and the 2.0 16v in the GTi-6 calls for shorter belt change intervals. The rest are minor faults: coolant and oil leaks, sensors and idle.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.8 and 2.0 XU faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 THP and 1.8 and 2.0 XU
1.6 THP1.8 and 2.0 XU
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power120–270 hp90–167 hp
Production2006–2018[1][9][10]1993–2002[11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk39Moderate risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)
  2. High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
  1. Critical severity: Premature timing belt breakage in the 16-valve engines
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the thermostat housing and radiator
  3. Medium severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.8 8v 90-103 hp (XU7JB/LFX and XU7JP/LFZ, 1993-2001)[5][6][15]
  • 2.0 8v 121-123 hp (XU10J2C/RFX, until 1997)[5][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)[4]
  • 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)[2][3][17]
  • 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)[2][3][4]
  • 1.8 16v 110-112 hp (XU7JP4/LFY, 1995-2002)[5][6][7]
  • 2.0 16v 132-135 hp (XU10J4R/RFV, 1995-2002)[7][8][18]
  • 2.0 16v 150-167 hp (XU10J4/RFT/RFY S16 and XU10J4RS/RFS GTi-6 and VTS, 1993-2002)[8][16][19]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

1.8 and 2.0 XU

See the 9 models with the 1.8 and 2.0 XU

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 THP

With the 1.8 and 2.0 XU

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.

  1. Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Peugeot 306: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Citroën Xsara: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Peugeot 406: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  8. Peugeot 306 GTI-6 buying guide: powertrainPistonHeads · Motoring press · published 4 September 2016 · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. PSA XU engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Peugeot 306Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Citroën XsaraWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Citroën XsaraWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Fiabilité Citroën Berlingo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Peugeot 306: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. Fiabilité Peugeot 406: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité Citroën Xsara: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French