1.8 TCe vs VR6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 TCe carries less risk than the VR6: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 1.8 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars»; the VR6 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «VR6 timing chain and tensioners».

Risk index

1.8 TCe

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

VR6

High 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 2 November 202620 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the 1.8 TCe faults

Is the VR6 reliable?

Its best-documented faults are the timing chain, with tensioners on the 12-valve versions and stretching on the 3.2 (R32, A3 8P, TT, Cayenne), and, to a lesser extent, the cooling system of the 12-valve versions. The 3.6 FSI comes out of the sources better than the 3.2.^[5][6][7]

See the 2 of the VR6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.8 TCe and VR6
Item	1.8 TCe	VR6
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,798 cm³	—
Timing	—	Chain
Power	252–350 hp	140–300 hp
Production	2017–2026^[4][8][9]	1991–2024^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	50High risk
Documented faults	2	2
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars High severity: A110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hot	Critical severity: VR6 timing chain and tensioners Medium severity: 12-valve VR6 cooling: water pump, thermostat and plastic pipes
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.8 TCe 280–300 hp (M5P, Mégane R.S. IV, 2018–2023)^[1][3][4]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.8 TCe 252–350 hp (M5P, Alpine A110, 2017–2026)^[1][3]	2.8 VR6 12V 140-174 hp (AAA, AMY, AES; 1991-2000)^[5][13] 2.9 VR6 12V 190 hp (ABV; 1994-1997)^[5] 2.8 V6 24V 204 hp (AQP, AUE, BDE, AMV, AYL; 1999-2008)^[6][14][15] 3.2 VR6 220-250 hp (BFH, BML, BDB, BMJ, BUB, BHE, BDL, BKK, AZZ, AXZ, CBRA; 2001-2010)^{[6][7][16][17]} 3.6 VR6 FSI 249-300 hp (BLV, BWS, CDVA, CCZB, CNNA, CMTA; 2005-2018)^{[7][18][19][20]}
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

1.8 TCe

VR6

See the 26 models with the VR6

Other comparisons

With the 1.8 TCe

With the VR6

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.

Rappels Alpine A110 (2019). Risque de casse moteurL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 August 2019 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
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
Alpine A110. Un nouveau rappel pour remplacer des pompes à essenceL'argus · Motoring press · published 25 October 2023 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
Renault Mégane IVWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
VW Golf III VR6 (1991-1998)AutoBild · Motoring press · published 1 September 2003 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Gebrauchtwagen-Kaufberater: Was kann der Porsche Cayenne 9PA?AutoScout24 · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
VR6 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR6-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW EA390Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf III (1991-1998)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Seat Leon I: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Bora (1J2): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf 4: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Audi TT: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Passat CC: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Probleme mit dem Porsche Cayenne (9PA y 92A)CarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French