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D7FD7F 700D7F 701D7F 702D7F 703D7F 704D7F 720D7F 726D7F 746D7F 764D7F 766D7F 800

1.2 8v 54-60 hp (D7F, 1996-2012) engine: faults and reliability

Renault 1.2 8v (D7F) version

With caution

Reliability entries record no catastrophic failures, and Auto Bild recommended it in 2002 over the previous Twingo engine as more reliable; but they repeat the cylinder head gasket (from 7% to 16% of opinions) and the sensors (up to 24%): check the coolant and sensor history before buying.[1][2][3][4]

Years
1996–2012
Power
54–60 hp
Faults that affect it
5
1 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
4
in our database

12 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

The only version of the D7F: it left the factory in 1996 with 54 hp, rose to 58 hp in 1997 and to 60 hp in January 2001 in the Twingo I; the Clio II and Kangoo I carry 58-60 hp according to the source. The sources do not document design changes between the different codes (700, 702, 746, 800...), which are mainly distinguished by power.[5][6][7][8]

Engine codes of this version: D7F, D7F 700, D7F 701, D7F 702, D7F 703, D7F 704, D7F 720, D7F 726, D7F 746, D7F 764, D7F 766, D7F 800.

Faults of the D7F engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockDamaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)The cylinder head gasket is one of the engine faults most often repeated in the entries for the 60 hp 1.2 8v: 12 cases out of 74 opinions on the Clio II, 6 out of 80 on the Twingo I and 3 out of 27 on the Twingo II. A coolant leak or overheating can end up damaging the cylinder head.
  2. 2Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsCrankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failureThe sensors, including the crankshaft TDC pickup, are the category that adds the most cases in the entries for the 60 hp 1.2 8v: 17 out of 74 opinions on the Clio II (23%) and 19 out of 80 on the Twingo I (24%). The entries do not detail how the fault shows itself.
  3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionIgnition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidityThe 1.2 8v ignition can fail: Fiches-auto records 7 coil or ignition cases out of 74 opinions on the Clio II (9.5%), and Auto Bild warns that the Twingo ignition fails in humidity. It shows up as jerking or hard starting.
  4. 4Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingWorn or broken timing beltThe 1.2 8v has a timing belt, not a chain. The entries record few belt cases (3 out of 80 opinions on the Twingo I, 2 out of 74 on the Clio II); roadside assistance services cite broken belts on the Twingo I, and Caradisiac advises replacing it every 120,000 km or 5 years on the Clio II.
  5. 5Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationEngine oil consumption and leaksThe 1.2 8v can burn or lose oil, but moderately: Fiches-auto records it in 4% of the opinions on the Clio II, 5% on the Twingo I and 15% on the Twingo II, and Auto Bild points to the crankshaft seal next to the flywheel as the typical source of stains between engine and gearbox on the Twingo.

Cars fitted with the D7F engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Renault

Frequently asked questions

Is the D7F engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. Reliability entries record no catastrophic failures, and Auto Bild recommended it in 2002 over the previous Twingo engine as more reliable; but they repeat the cylinder head gasket (from 7% to 16% of opinions) and the sensors (up to 24%): check the coolant and sensor history before buying.[1][2][3][4]

What faults does the D7F engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating) (high severity), crankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failure (medium severity), ignition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidity (medium severity), worn or broken timing belt (medium severity) and engine oil consumption and leaks (low severity).

Which cars use the D7F engine?

Renault Twingo I (1996–2004), Renault Twingo II (2007–2010), Renault Clio II (1998–2012) and Renault Kangoo I (1997–2005).[1][2][3][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Are you buying a car with the D7F engine?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Twingo 1993-2006 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Renault Twingo 2 (2007-2014) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. Renault Twingo (ab 1993): Schwachstellen laut TÜV-AuswertungAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Moteur D (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. Renault KangooWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Renault Twingo IWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  10. Renault Twingo IWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Renault Clio IIWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité Renault Kangoo (1997-2007) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French