Renault 12 1.3L Cléon-Fonte Engines
from £400 to £1,450
Rebuilt units from £950 · Common codes: 810, C1H, C1J, C2L
Get quotes from trusted UK Renault 12 engine specialists. Compare used and reconditioned prices for 1.3L to 1.6L petrol - C1C & C1J covered. Find the best value for your budget.
Renault 12 1.3L Cléon-Fonte Engines
from £400 to £1,450
Rebuilt units from £950 · Common codes: 810, C1H, C1J, C2L
Renault 12 1.4L Export Engines
from £450 to £1,600
Rebuilt units from £1,100 · Common codes: C1J, C2J, C3J
Renault 12 TS Gordini Performance Engines
from £600 to £2,400
Rebuilt units from £1,600 · Common codes: C2L, 807-20, 807-G

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.


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“Thanks to EngineMarket, I saved over £1,200 on my engine replacement and got matched with a great local specialist within the hour.”












Not sure which variant your Renault 12 is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every Cléon-Fonte engine code fitted to the Renault 12 across all UK generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed petrol and performance engine families across Renault 12 variants.

C1H - 1.3L Petrol
Main replacement demand comes from timing-chain, cooling-system and performance thermal-management faults.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£1,000 - £1,450
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can't find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we'll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Renault 12 engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

The Renault 12's Cléon-Fonte engines are robust but age-related failures are common after 40+ years. Head gasket degradation, timing chain tensioner wear, and carburettor ethanol damage dominate replacement enquiries. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EngineMarket includes upgraded internal components designed to address original failure points - plus a...
Renault 12 Head Gasket Failure
Most affected vehicles
Renault 12 L, TL, TS, Estate (1969-1980, 810/C1H/C1J engine codes)
Failure mileage range
80,000+ miles or 40+ years age-related degradation
Typical failure window
Root cause
Age-hardened gasket material combined with thermal cycling causes seal failure between cylinder head and block, allowing coolant/oil mixing.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Head Gasket Replacement | £800 - £1,200 | £500 - £850 | Remove cylinder head, replace gasket set, pressure test head, reassemble with new seals | Viable only if block/head undamaged; 2-4 year expectancy on vintage engines |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt Cléon-Fonte Engine | £2,200 - £3,500 | £950 - £1,450 | Supply fitted rebuilt engine with upgraded gasket kit, new seals, bench-tested, 12-month warranty | Best value for high-mileage/vintage units; addresses root cause with upgraded components |
Our recommendation
On a Renault 12 valued at £2,000-£6,000, a full rebuilt engine often represents better long-term value than repeated gasket repairs. We recommend rebuilt units with upgraded gasket kits for any Cléon-Fonte engine showing signs of head gasket failure.
Compare rebuilt 810/C1H engine prices for your Renault 12
Every Renault 12 engine type is available through our UK network with typical price ranges based on variant, Cléon-Fonte engine code and budget.
Compare Renault 12 engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Renault 12 within hours.

Every Cléon-Fonte displacement fitted to the Renault 12 in the UK is listed below, with compatible engine codes, production years and common failure notes to help you identify the correct replacement.
The 1.3L Cléon-Fonte (1289cc) powered the majority of UK Renault 12 models from launch in 1969 through to end of production in 1980. This robust overhead-valve design with cast-iron block and aluminium head became the backbone of the range, offering economical running and straightforward maintenance for L, TL and early TS variants.
Engine Code(s)
810, C1H
Compatible Models (UK)
L (1969-1975), TL (1970-1980), TS (1972-1980), Estate/Break
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Head gasket degradation on age, timing chain tensioner wear causing cold-start rattle
Production Years: 1970-1980
Compare Renault 12 1.3L petrol engine prices
Choose your Renault 12 engine by fuel type to compare realistic replacement prices, known Cléon-Fonte issues, and compatible UK supply options - from economical 1.3L TL to high-performance 1.6L Gordini.
All UK-market Renault 12 models were fitted with Cléon-Fonte petrol engines only; no factory diesel variants were offered for this classic model range.
Common Renault 12 Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
All UK-market Renault 12 models were fitted with Cléon-Fonte petrol engines only; no factory diesel variants were offered for this classic model range.
Common Renault 12 Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Renault 12 has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Renault 12 specialists.

This section covers all major Cléon-Fonte engine changes across the Renault 12 UK production timeline (1969-1980), organised so owners can quickly identify their engine and compare rebuilt prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
810- 1.3L petrol (L / TL base)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
810