CarValidator

1.2 / 1.3 TCe (petrol)

20162022 · petrol · 1332cc · 140hp

Engine codes: H5Ft, H5Ht

History-Dependent

Reliability, common problems and owner reviews for the Renault Mégane IV 1.2 / 1.3 TCe (petrol). Check this before you buy used.

As in the Kadjar, the petrols split sharply: the early 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) belongs to the family hit by the well-publicised oil-dilution/consumption troubles that damaged some engines, so an unknown-history 1.2 is a genuine risk. The later 1.3 TCe (H5Ht — the Renault-Mercedes co-developed unit shared with the Qashqai, Kadjar and Mercedes A-Class) is a markedly better engine: stronger, more robust, with only the usual DI carbon and turbo care. Strongly prefer the 1.3; buy a 1.2 only with full documented oil-consumption history.

Same engine, other cars

This is the same physical engine (H5Ht) sold under different names across brands. Reliability is broadly shared — cross-check these:

Known Issues

Oil dilution/consumption (1.2 TCe)critical

Early 1.2 TCe family suffered oil-dilution/consumption that damaged some engines.

Fix / Workaround: Prefer the 1.3; for 1.2 demand oil-consumption history.

Repair cost: €200–€3000

Typically appears after: 60,000 km

Intake carbon / turbo (1.3)recurring

1.3 TCe DI carbon over time; turbo care. Far better engine overall.

Fix / Workaround: Decarbon if rough; clean oil.

Repair cost: €150–€900

Typically appears after: 130,000 km

Year Cutoffs

2018: Before — . After — .

Mileage Thresholds

After 150,000 km: 1.3 robust; 1.2 history-dependent.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

  • Strongly prefer the 1.3 TCe
  • 1.2 TCe: oil-consumption history essential
  • 1.3 shared with Qashqai / Mercedes

Frequently asked questions

Is the Renault Mégane IV 1.2 / 1.3 TCe (petrol) reliable?

History-Dependent — As in the Kadjar, the petrols split sharply: the early 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) belongs to the family hit by the well-publicised oil-dilution/consumption troubles that damaged some engines, so an unknown-history 1.2 is a genuine risk. The later 1.3 TCe (H5Ht — the Renault-Mercedes co-developed unit shared with the Qashqai, Kadjar and Mercedes A-Class) is a markedly better engine: stronger, more robust, with only the usual DI carbon and turbo care. Strongly prefer the 1.3; buy a 1.2 only with full documented oil-consumption history.

What are the common problems and reviews for the Renault Mégane IV 1.2 / 1.3 TCe (petrol)?

The most commonly reported problems: Oil dilution/consumption (1.2 TCe), Intake carbon / turbo (1.3).

Is a used Renault Mégane IV 1.2 / 1.3 TCe (petrol) worth buying?

The engine itself is OK; condition is everything. Unknown or patchy history = walk away.