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BMW B58 vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT carries less risk than the BMW B58: 23/100 (low risk) versus 38/100 (moderate risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

23

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

14 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B58 reliable?

The B58 (3.0 turbo straight-six, since 2015) is considered robust and less troublesome than the N54/N55 it replaced, and the sources do not document widespread internal failures. The known faults are on the periphery: the plastic oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation, gaskets and coolant. On units built before 2021 there are also US reports of an oil pump with a plastic housing.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW B58 faults

Is the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT reliable?

The Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (K12B/K12C/K12M) is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a timing chain and indirect injection, fitted since 2008 to the Splash, Swift, Ignis and Baleno, with an SHVS mild-hybrid variant since 2016. It is reliable: there is no serious documented fault with the engine block itself; the main points are a clutch that wears out sooner than expected on some cars and two SHVS recalls that have already been resolved.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
BMW B581.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power290–441 hp82–92 hp
Productionsince 2015[10][11]since 2008[5][6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk23Low risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing
  2. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing
  3. Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)
  1. Medium severity: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure
  2. Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software
  3. Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)[2][3]
  • 1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)[8]
  • 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)[9][12][13]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)[2][3][14]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][14]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
None
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 B58

See the 16 models with the BMW B58

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

See the 7 models with the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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. The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
  2. BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
  3. The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
  4. ¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  11. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  12. Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. How A Plastic Part On BMW's B58 Engine Can Turn An Oil Change Into A $3,000 RepairThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 28 March 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026