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1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 8v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the 1.2 8v: 14/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 8v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)».

Risk index

1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 8v

36

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

23 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 reliable?

The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

See the of the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 fault

Is the 1.2 8v reliable?

The 1.2 8v (D7F) is a simple naturally aspirated engine of 54 to 60 hp, with a timing belt, which Renault fitted from 1996 to the Twingo, Clio II and Kangoo. No catastrophic failures are documented; what owner reviews mention most often are the sensors, the cylinder head gasket, the coil packs and the occasional oil drip.[9][10][11]

See the 5 of the 1.2 8v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 and 1.2 8v
1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW121.2 8v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,149 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power116–177 hp54–60 hp
Production1999–2010[1][3][12][13]1996–2012[14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)14Low risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults15
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  1. High severity: Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)
  2. Medium severity: Crankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failure
  3. Medium severity: Ignition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidity
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[4][18][20]
  • 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)[5][7]
  • 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)[5][6][8][13][21]
  • 1.8 16v 115-117 hp (EW7J4, 6FZ, 2000-2005)[5][19]
  • 1.8 16v 125-127 hp (EW7A, 6FY, 2005-2010)[6][22]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

With the 1.2 8v

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. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  5. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  6. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Renault Twingo 1993-2006 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité Renault Twingo 2 (2007-2014) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  12. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  14. Moteur D (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  15. Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. Renault Twingo IWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  21. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2008-2017 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  23. Renault Twingo (ab 1993): Schwachstellen laut TÜV-AuswertungAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German