BMW N13 engine report
BMW N13 · 1 Series (F20)
1.6 LPetrolInline-42011–2015
54/100
[risky]
Worth buying, listen for the chain
Worth buying if the service history checks out.
ExcellentGoodSolidRiskyAvoid
- Known issues
- 1
- Critical
- 0
- Sources
- 63
Verdict
One fault matters more than the rest on this engine, and it is the timing chain.
Our confidence in that call is middling, which in practice means owners report it constantly but it is not always what turns out to be wrong. Either way the check is the same. Listen to a cold start for rattle or whine, ask for the service history, and pay for an inspection before you commit.
Specs
- Displacement
- 1.6 L
- Layout
- Inline-4
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Production
- 2011–2016
- Chassis
- F20
- Generation
- Pre-LCI
- Fitted
- 2011–2015
Known issues
1 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.
Evidence
22 owner reports back this, confidence 45/100.
- Critical
- High
- Moderate
- Low
Timing chain stretch / guide wearfrom 140k km
Buying checklist
0 of 1 checked
Sources
Updated 16 Sept 2026 · scoring v2.7
This report combines 63 owner posts, forum threads and official records. An issue only makes the list once the evidence is strong enough, an official recall on its own or several independent owner reports, and the score weighs how often each problem happens against how bad it is when it does.