APK defects by part

Engine and drivetrain at the APK

In Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 the APK inspector recorded a engine and drivetrain defect 30,917 times, across 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars. On 38 model generations it occurs clearly more often than average.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Defects in the engine, gearbox or engine mounts.

Repair indication: largea substantial repair; have a garage look first.

How to check it at the viewing

Start cold and listen for ticking, watch for smoke and jerks when shifting.

Ask the seller: When was the timing belt or chain last replaced, and have there been engine or gearbox problems?

Models where this is clearly more common

Sorted by how many extra cars have this defect. Per model the age with the largest difference; only when the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval is above the national share and the difference is at least 3 in 1,000 cars.

#	Model	Age	This model	National	Difference
1	Peugeot 2008 I2013–2021	13–15 yrs	2.7%	0.4%	6.6×
2	BMW X1 F482016–2023	9–10 yrs	2.5%	0.2%	11.2×
3	Mitsubishi Outlander III2013–2021	11–12 yrs	2.1%	0.3%	6.8×
4	Fiat 500L2012–2021	11–12 yrs	2.0%	0.3%	6.3×
5	MINI Clubman F542016–2024	9–10 yrs	1.9%	0.2%	8.5×
6	Alfa Romeo MiTo2008–2019	13–15 yrs	1.9%	0.4%	4.7×
7	BMW 2-serie Active Tourer F452016–2022	9–10 yrs	1.7%	0.2%	7.9×
8	Jeep Renegade2014–2026	11–12 yrs	1.8%	0.3%	5.6×
9	Smart Fortwo II (451)2007–2014	13–15 yrs	1.8%	0.4%	4.4×
10	BMW 1-serie F402019–2025	5–6 yrs	1.3%	0.1%	11.6×
11	MINI Countryman F602016–2024	7–8 yrs	1.3%	0.2%	7.7×
12	BMW X2 F392018–2024	7–8 yrs	1.3%	0.2%	7.7×
13	Peugeot 208 I2012–2021	13–15 yrs	1.4%	0.4%	3.5×
14	Opel Meriva A2005–2011	16+ yrs	1.8%	0.9%	2.1×
15	Nissan Qashqai I2007–2015	13–15 yrs	1.3%	0.4%	3.2×
16	Fiat Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto2005–2021	11–12 yrs	1.2%	0.3%	3.8×
17	Volvo V60 II / S60 III2018–2026	7–8 yrs	1.0%	0.2%	6.1×
18	Peugeot 508 I2011–2021	13–15 yrs	1.2%	0.4%	3.0×
19	MINI Mini R56/R552009–2019	9–10 yrs	1.0%	0.2%	4.6×
20	Volvo V90 / S90 II2016–2026	9–10 yrs	1.0%	0.2%	4.4×
21	Citroën C3 Picasso2009–2012	16+ yrs	1.6%	0.9%	1.8×
22	Mazda Mazda3 (BL)2009–2013	13–15 yrs	1.1%	0.4%	2.7×
23	Nissan X-Trail III2014–2022	5–6 yrs	0.8%	0.1%	7.3×
24	MINI Mini 5-deurs F552016–2024	7–8 yrs	0.8%	0.2%	5.1×
25	MINI Mini Cabrio F572016–2024	7–8 yrs	0.8%	0.2%	4.9×
26	Dacia Logan2006–2022	16+ yrs	1.5%	0.9%	1.7×
27	Volvo V502005–2020	13–15 yrs	1.0%	0.4%	2.6×
28	Peugeot 206+2009–2011	13–15 yrs	1.0%	0.4%	2.5×
29	Opel Astra H Station Wagon2005–2012	13–15 yrs	1.0%	0.4%	2.4×
30	Toyota Avensis III2008–2019	9–10 yrs	0.8%	0.2%	3.5×
31	MINI Mini 3-deurs F562016–2024	7–8 yrs	0.7%	0.2%	4.5×
32	Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross2017–2025	3–4 yrs	0.6%	0.1%	10.7×
33	Kia Picanto I2005–2012	16+ yrs	1.3%	0.9%	1.5×
34	Ford Focus II2005–2012	13–15 yrs	0.8%	0.4%	2.1×
35	Opel Astra J2009–2017	9–10 yrs	0.6%	0.2%	2.5×
36	Opel Zafira B2005–2015	13–15 yrs	0.7%	0.4%	1.8×
37	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter2006–2026	13–15 yrs	0.7%	0.4%	1.8×
38	Citroën C4 Cactus2014–2021	11–12 yrs	0.6%	0.3%	2.0×

The most common defects in this group

Defect (RDW description, Dutch)	Type	Share of cars	Cars
Accu ondeugdelijk bevestigd	B	0.3%	20,075
Motorsteunrubber doorgescheurd/vulkanisatie geheel los	B	0.1%	5,167
Slot of scharnier(en) van motorkap en kofferdeksel ondeugdel	B	0.0%	1,734
Motorsteun ernstig beschadigd	B	0.0%	784
Bevestiging slot/scharnier deur/motorkap/kofferdeksel ondeug	B	0.0%	747
Bedrading ondeugdelijk bevestigd	B	0.0%	734
Aandrijving ondeugdelijk	A	0.0%	454
Motorsteunen ondeugdelijk bevestigd	B	0.0%	438
Bevestiging aandrijving ondeugdelijk	A	0.0%	422
Accu aanhangwagen ondeugdelijk bevestigd	D	0.0%	211
Bedrading niet goed geïsoleerd	B	0.0%	101
Bedrading aanhangwagen ondeugdelijk bevestigd	D	0.0%	15

Looking at a used car? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how the car compares with the same model at the same age.

Frequently asked questions

Which used cars often have engine and drivetrain problems?

At the APK this occurs most clearly above average on the Peugeot 2008 I, BMW X1 F48, Mitsubishi Outlander III. Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know