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1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI carries less risk than the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI: 7/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI has no documented serious faults; the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

7

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

23 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI reliable?

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI has a reputation for being robust and has no systematic serious faults. The 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo suffered cold-start jerking at low speed, which Volkswagen corrected with software between 2019 and 2020; later units and the 2022 evo2 are more mature. Watch for coolant leaks and check the 2019 and 2020 recalls.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI faults

Is the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI reliable?

MG/SAIC's "1.5" covers two different engines: the naturally aspirated VTi-TECH (106 hp), the entry-level engine in the MG ZS, and the turbocharged T-GDI (162-170 hp), found only in the MG HS and as the petrol engine in its plug-in hybrids. Neither has well-documented engine faults in independent sources yet: the complaints published concern electronics, the automatic gearbox and finish, not the engine block.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the 2 of the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power82–150 hp106–170 hp
Productionsince 2014[12][13][14][15][16]since 2017[6][7][17][18][19]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk7Low risk
Documented faults52
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityLow severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module
  2. Low severity: Cold jerking at low speed ("kangaroo effect") on the 1.5 TSI evo
  3. Medium severity: Lack of torque on starting in the manual 150 hp 1.5 TSI (2019 recall)
  1. Low severity: Jerky or harsh automatic gearbox shifts when cold or at low speed (MG HS)
  2. Low severity: Electronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)[1][2][5]
  • 1.0 TSI / 1.0 eTSI evo (DLAA, DLAB; 2020 onwards)[1][14]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo 114/130/150 hp (DPCA, DPBC; built from 2020)[1][20]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo2 116/150 hp (DXDB, DNKA; 2022 onwards)[1][21]
  • 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)[9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)[1][3][4]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)[10][11][22][23]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)[7]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

See the 44 models with the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. ¿Tu motor 1.5 TSI de Volkswagen sufre de tirones en frío? Llegan novedadesMotor.es · Motoring press · published 5 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW, Seat und Skoda: Rückruf wegen Motorsoftware-Updatekfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 30 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. MG ZS (crossover)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. MG HSWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Essai complet : MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes du MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité et pannes du MG eHSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. MG HS PHEV: guía definitiva de problemas y soluciones del SUV, el híbrido enchufable más vendidoAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 10 November 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. VW EA211 evoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  14. The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litresVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 8 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. Golf eTSI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE – International Media Drive (dossier de prensa)Volkswagen AG · Manufacturer · published August 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. Prueba de consumo (251): VW Golf Evo 1.5-TSI ACT 150 CV DSG Sport R-Line 5pkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  18. MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  20. Efecto canguro, el problema de los tirones en frío de los motores 1.5 TSI del Grupo VolkswagenSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  22. MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  23. MG HS SUV (2019-2024) Exclusive 1.5T-GDI 5d: opinión de propietario (10 jun 2022)Parkers · Owners' forum · published 10 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026