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BMW B48 / B38 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 B48 / B38: 18/100 versus 24/100 (both low risk). The BMW B48 / B38 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU»; the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

18

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

19 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B48 / B38 reliable?

The BMW B48 (2.0 turbo, from 2014) and its three-cylinder sibling, the B38 (1.5), have a reputation as reliable engines within BMW's modern range: there is no serious, widespread fault on record, unlike the timing chain on the N47 diesel or the EGR fire risk on the B47. Keep an eye on the cooling circuit, the oil seals near the turbo and the VANOS, and the carbon build-up typical of direct injection; BMW revised the timing chain in 2018 (B48TU update).[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 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 B48 / B38 and 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
BMW B48 / B380.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,998 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power136–312 hp52–84 hp
Productionsince 2014[1][7][8]2002–2022[9][10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk18Low risk
Documented faults42
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS
  3. High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU
  1. Medium severity: Ignition system faults (high-tension leads and modules)
  2. Low severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and sump
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)[2]
  • B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)[2]
  • B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)[2][14]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[2]
  • 1.2 S-TEC and S-TEC II 72-84 hp (Aveo T200/T250, 2005-2011)[15][16]
  • 1.0 and 1.2 S-TEC II DOHC 16v (Spark M300, Beat and Sail, 2010-2022)[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 0.8 and 1.0 S-TEC SOHC (Matiz/Spark M200, 2005-2009)[4][13]
  • 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)[17][18][19]
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

BMW B48 / B38

See the 21 models with the BMW B48 / B38

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. 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
  5. Chevrolet Spark hatchback reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published October 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Fiabilité Chevrolet Spark (2009-2015): pannes, rappels et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. 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
  16. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  17. Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish