BMW N13 engine report, 114i F20
BMW N13 · 1 Series (F20)
1.6 LPetrolInline-42012–2015
50/100
Checked by hand
[risky]
Fine buy with one known weak point
Worth buying, but only on the right car. Only with verified timing chain/tensioner replacement history or budget reserved for immediate preventative replacement (€800-€1,500).
ExcellentGoodSolidRiskyAvoid
- Known issues
- 2
- Critical
- 0
- Sources
- 66
Verdict
The chain is most of the story here, and stretch with worn guides is very common.
Get someone to listen for a whine or rattle on a cold start and to look at the chain and guides, because that is the job most likely to cost you. Injectors fail occasionally and cheaply, so treat them as a watch item and not a dealbreaker. Price the chain inspection into the offer and this is a reasonable car.
Specs
- Displacement
- 1.6 L
- Layout
- Inline-4
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Production
- 2012–2015
- Chassis
- F20
- Generation
- Pre-LCI
- Fitted
- 2012–2015
Known issues
2 confirmed · sorted by severity
ModerateTiming chain stretch / guide wear
Timing chain elongates or plastic guides wear prematurely, causing rattle, incorrect valve timing, or in severe cases chain failure.
Symptoms
- Knocking Noise
- Cold Start Rattle
- Warning Light
How often
Very common · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
LowFuel injector failure
Injector wear, sticking, or seal failure causing misfires, rough running, or fuel leaks.
Symptoms
- Misfire
- Rough Idle
- Fuel Smell
How often
Occasional · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
- Critical
- High
- Moderate
- Low
Timing chain stretch / guide wearfrom 140k km
Check the car you're looking at
Owners rarely say at what mileage this engine's problems start, so they aren't sorted by mileage here. These are the ones to ask the seller about, the ones it's best known for first.
Buying checklist
BMW N13 (114i F20) · Buying checklist
Sources
Updated 16 Sept 2026 · scoring v2.7
Behind this report sit 66 owner posts, forum threads and official records. Nothing gets on the list on one person's word. It takes a recall, or owners on separate platforms describing the same fault. The score then sets how often a problem turns up against the damage it does.