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M60 and M62 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 M60 and M62: 7/100 (low risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The M60 and M62 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides»; the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

M60 and M62

63

High risk · 2 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

19 sourcesHow we work

Is the M60 and M62 reliable?

BMW's M60 and M62 V8s have a reputation for durability if the cooling system is looked after, but the M62 carries two well-documented weak points: the plastic chain guides of the timing chain and, from 1998, the VANOS seals. The M60 suffered cylinder wear from Nikasil with sulphur-contaminated petrol.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the M60 and M62 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.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M60 and M62 and 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
M60 and M621.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power218–347 hp106–170 hp
Production1992–2005[4][11][12][13]since 2017[5][6][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk7Low risk
Documented faults52
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityCritical severityLow severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides
  2. Critical severity: Cylinder wear in the M60 (and some early M62s) from the Nikasil coating
  3. Medium severity: Worn seals on the M62 TU VANOS unit
  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 versionsNone
  • 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)[8]
  • 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (15S4C, MG3, 2013–2024)[17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M60B30, 3.0 litres (218 hp; 1992-1996)[1][2][4]
  • M60B40, 4.0 litres (286 hp; 1992-1996)[1][3][4]
  • M62B35, 3.5 litres (235 hp; 1996-1998)[1][2]
  • M62TUB35, 3.5 litres (238-245 hp; 1998-2003)[1][2]
  • M62B44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1996-1998)[1][2]
  • M62TUB44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1998-2005)[1][2]
  • M62TUB46, 4.6 litres (347 hp; 2002-2004)[1][2]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)[9][10][18][19]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)[6]
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

M60 and M62

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Other comparisons

With the M60 and M62

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

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 M62 V8 Engine Guide: Problems, Reliability, TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 27 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. BMW M62 4.4 V8 (1996-2003): problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. BMW 7er (1994-2002): Schwachstellen und MotorenAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  4. BMW M60Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. MG ZS (crossover)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. MG HSWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Essai complet : MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes du MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes du MG eHSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. 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
  11. BMW M60Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. BMW M62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. BMW M62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Témoignages de fiabilité MG (MG3 1.5 VTi-Tech 106 ch sin testimonios; solo los del híbrido de 2024)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  19. 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