BMW B38 / B37 vs 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC carries less risk than the BMW B38 / B37: 18/100 versus 20/100 (both low risk). The BMW B38 / B37 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015)»; the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B38 / B37

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202622 sources How we work

Is the BMW B38 / B37 reliable?

BMW and MINI's three-cylinder B38 (petrol) and B37 (diesel) have no serious, widespread documented fault. The only problem reported in the press is the crankshaft thrust bearing on early B38 units (up to April 2015), corrected by BMW. BMW's EGR campaigns affect four- and six-cylinder diesels, not the B37.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the BMW B38 / B37 faults

Is the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC reliable?

The GM Daewoo S-TEC engines (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 naturally aspirated, low power) power the Matiz, Spark, Aveo 1.2, Beat and Sail. The sources consulted document only minor and cheap faults, such as oil leaks and ignition faults on the Matiz, and we have found no structural engine fault.^[4][5][6]

See the 2 of the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B38 / B37 and 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
Item	BMW B38 / B37	0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,499 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–231 hp	52–84 hp
Production	since 2014^[7][8][9]	2002–2022^{[10][11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	20Low risk	18Low risk
Documented faults	3	2
Of high or critical severity	1	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Critical severity: B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015) Medium severity: Coolant leaks and water pump or thermostat failure on the B38 Low severity: Carbon build-up on the B38's intake valves and injectors	Medium severity: Ignition system faults (high-tension leads and modules) Low severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and sump
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B38 1.5 136-140 hp from April 2015 (B38A15 / B38B15)^[1] B37 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (B37C15K0 / B37C15U0), up to 2017^[15] B37TÜ1 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (from late 2017)^[16]	1.2 S-TEC and S-TEC II 72-84 hp (Aveo T200/T250, 2005-2011)^[17][18] 1.0 and 1.2 S-TEC II DOHC 16v (Spark M300, Beat and Sail, 2010-2022)^[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B38 1.2 (B38A12, MINI One)^[8] B38 1.5 136 hp up to April 2015 (B38A15)^[1] B38K15T0 231 hp (BMW i8)^[19]	0.8 and 1.0 S-TEC SOHC (Matiz/Spark M200, 2005-2009)^[4][14] 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)^[20][21][22]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW B38 / B37

See the 17 models with the BMW B38 / B37

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

Other comparisons

With the BMW B38 / B37

With the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

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Sources

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

BMW Dreizylinder: Dauertest-Probleme des B38 behoben?BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 5 October 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
2024: BMW recall due to EGR coolers extended againcar-recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 28 March 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW diésel Europa: llamada a revisión por el EGR y riesgo de incendioDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Czy warto kupić: używany Daewoo / FSO Matiz (od 1998 do 2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 22 August 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Chevrolet Spark hatchback reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published October 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilité Chevrolet Spark (2009-2015): pannes, rappels et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
BMW B38 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW B38 (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW B37 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Project one M: MINI Cooper D F56 fährt eine Million Kilometer in 12 JahrenBimmerToday · Motoring press · published 24 June 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW Baukasten-Diesel: Mehr Infos zur TÜ1 für B47 und B37BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 20 November 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
Czy warto kupić: używany Chevrolet Aveo (od 2002 do 2011)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 5 March 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
BMW i8 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish