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1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: 14/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults; the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

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

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

27 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.[9][10][11][12]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW121.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power116–177 hp75–120 hp
Production1999–2010[1][3][13][14]1991–2013[15][16][17][18][19]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)14Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults16
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  1. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[20]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)[9][24]
  • 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)[10][25]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[4][21][23]
  • 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][14][26]
  • 1.8 16v 115-117 hp (EW7J4, 6FZ, 2000-2005)[5][22]
  • 1.8 16v 125-127 hp (EW7A, 6FY, 2005-2010)[6][27]
  • 1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)[12]
  • 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)[9][12]
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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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. VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  13. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  18. Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  19. SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  20. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  23. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  25. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  26. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  27. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2008-2017 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French