Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.6 THP vs 1.8 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 TCe carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 32/100 (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 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars».

Risk index

1.6 THP

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 TCe

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

13 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 TCe reliable?

The 1.8 TCe (M5P) in the Alpine A110 and the Mégane R.S. IV has no documented endemic faults. What has been published are recalls for the A110: the oil pressure solenoid valve (2019) and the fuel pump (2021 and 2023). We have found no recalls or complaints about this engine in the Mégane R.S.[5][6][7][8]

See the 2 of the 1.8 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 THP and 1.8 TCe
1.6 THP1.8 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³1,798 cm³
TimingChain—
Power120–270 hp252–350 hp
Production2006–2018[1][9][10]2017–2026[8][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults52
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityHigh 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. High severity: A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars
  2. High severity: A110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hot
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.8 TCe 280–300 hp (M5P, Mégane R.S. IV, 2018–2023)[5][7][8]
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][13]
  • 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)[2][3][4]
  • 1.8 TCe 252–350 hp (M5P, Alpine A110, 2017–2026)[5][7]
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 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 THP

With the 1.8 TCe

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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. Rappels Alpine A110 (2019). Risque de casse moteurL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 August 2019 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  6. Rappel Alpine A110. La pompe à essence de 2 849 exemplaires remplacéeL'argus · Motoring press · published 7 September 2021 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  7. Alpine A110. Un nouveau rappel pour remplacer des pompes à essenceL'argus · Motoring press · published 25 October 2023 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  8. Renault Mégane IVWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  9. Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  12. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  13. BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026