PSA/BMW 1.6 THP and 1.6 VTi (familia Prince, EP6)Oil consumption
Oil consumption on the turbo versions on the 1.6 THP
Yes: oil consumption between changes is one of the defects that the French motoring press repeatedly associates with the turbo versions of the 1.6 THP, used by Peugeot, Citroën and MINI. We have not found that PSA or BMW acknowledged a specific campaign or extended warranty for this reason.[1]
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency common: Fiches-auto.fr gives "1.6 THP: PSA/Mini" its own entry in its article on petrol engines that consume oil, and describes it in very negative terms, pointing to oil consumption as one of its usual defects; in the same testimony study that documents the timing chain, 133 of 718 owners of this engine (around 18%) also report oil consumption problems. There is no official PSA figure or specific extended warranty like the one that does exist for other PSA petrol engines, so we rate the frequency as "frequent" and not "very frequent".[1][2]
Symptoms
- Having to top up the oil between changes more often than expected.[1]Uses oil: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Bluish smoke from the exhaust, a sign that oil is being burned in the combustion chamber.[1]Blue smoke: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
Fiches-auto.fr describes oil consumption as one of the known defects of the turbo versions of this engine, used by Peugeot, Citroën and MINI, without detailing in the source the exact internal mechanism (piston rings, valve stem seals or turbo sealing).[1]
If it is not repaired: Oil consumption that goes unmonitored can end up damaging the engine if the level drops too low between services.[1]
Affected cars and years
Fiches-auto.fr describes this problem specifically for the turbo "1.6 THP"; we have not found it documented in the same way for the naturally aspirated 1.6 VTi.[1]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp) | 2006–2018 | EP6DTEP6DTSEP6CDTN14N18 |
| 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp) | 2007–2018 | EP6CDXDEP6FDTREP6CDTRN14N18 |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Citroën
- Citroën C4 I2004–2010
- Citroën C4 II2010–2018
- Citroën C5 II2008–2017
MINI
- MINI Cooper R562006–2013
- MINI Clubman R552007–2014
- MINI Countryman R602010–2016
Peugeot
- Peugeot 2072006–2014
- Peugeot 308 I2007–2013
- Peugeot 308 II2013–2021
- Peugeot 208 I2012–2019
- Peugeot 3008 II2016–2023
- Peugeot 508 I2010–2018
- Peugeot RCZ2010–2015
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis of the origin of the oil consumption; the repair varies greatly depending on the cause (piston rings, seals or turbo) and is not detailed by the source consulted.[1]
We have not found a verified quote for Spain nor the exact mechanism of this oil consumption for the 1.6 THP.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
How to prevent it
- Check the oil level regularly, especially before long trips, and do not wait for the scheduled change if the warning light or dipstick indicates a low level.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1.6 THP use oil between changes?
The turbo versions do so fairly often according to fiches-auto.fr, which documents this problem in around 18% of the testimonies from owners of this engine.[1][2]
Does oil consumption affect the naturally aspirated 1.6 VTi?
We have not found it documented for the 1.6 VTi as clearly as for the THP turbo versions.[1]
Has PSA acknowledged this problem with a campaign or extended warranty?
We have not found a specific PSA campaign or extended warranty for the 1.6 THP's oil consumption, unlike for other petrol engines from the brand.[1]
What should I check before buying a car with this engine?
Ask for the record of oil levels between services and check whether bluish smoke comes out when starting cold.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.6 THP faults
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)Yes: on the turbo versions of the 1.6 THP, built mostly before 2012, the timing chain and its tensioner wear out prematurely; if the chain jumps teeth, the engine can go out of time or seize. BMW, co-designer of the block, issued a technical bulletin on this fault in 2013.
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFragile water pump and heat exchangerYes: both the naturally aspirated 1.6 VTi and the turbo 1.6 THP share, according to fiches-auto.fr, a water pump and a heat exchanger described as fragile; in the most serious cases, the resulting overheating has gone as far as damaging the cylinder head.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versionsThe high-pressure pump that feeds the direct injection of the turbo (THP) versions can fail. MINI, which uses the same block in the Cooper S, extended the warranty on this part in 2010 to 10 years or 192,000 km for 2007-2009 models in the US, without the need for a recall.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionSpark plugs and ignition coils that wear out early on the 1.6 THPOn the 1.6 THP turbo a noticeable minority of owners replace spark plugs and coils earlier than expected: fiches-auto.fr records ignition warnings in 12% of opinions on the 200 hp THP. It causes judder and the engine warning light.
More faults with oil consumption on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0/2.2 D-4DWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4DYes: the 2.2-litre block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has numerous documented cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso, with repairs that sometimes require replacing the engine.Appears at around 40,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 and 1.4 TSIPiston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twinchargerThe 1.4 TSI twincharger (turbo and supercharger) built up to 2012 can crack the pistons between the rings, with oil consumption, misfires and loss of compression. Volkswagen strengthened the pistons and rings on the 2012 CTHD engines.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 TCeExcessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built from 2012 to mid-2016 can burn more than 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km because the piston rings do not seal properly; carbon damages the valves and the engine can fail. There was no recall: the dealer network reprograms and replaces rings or the engine.Repair: €5,000–€10,000
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.33 Dual VVT-iExcessive oil consumption from piston wearYes: 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE) units built before 2013 can use far more oil than normal because of a factory defect in the pistons, acknowledged by Toyota in a technical bulletin. In the most serious cases it ends in engine replacement. Toyota corrected it with revised parts from 2013.Appears at around 130,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.0 PureTechExcessive oil consumption through the piston ringsYes. Stellantis acknowledges that naturally aspirated 1.0 and 1.2 EB engines built between June 2012 and November 2016 can use excessive oil because of fouling of the piston rings; depending on consumption and mileage, its network replaces the water outlet housing or the whole engine.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French