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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC: 19/100 (low risk) versus 48/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «i-SHIFT automated gearbox actuator failure».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

24 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 16v GM Daewoo E-TEC II (first-generation Lacetti/Optra and Aveo) have a timing belt and, according to the Polish press, a moderate fault record. Documented issues are faulty valves in the first units (2004-2005), lambda sensor faults and a few cases of oil leaks or oil consumption.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II faults

Is the 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC reliable?

A family of naturally aspirated Honda petrol engines with a timing chain (no belt to replace). The L-series blocks (1.2 and 1.3/1.4, sold as the "1.4") and the R-series (1.8) have a reputation for robustness. The documented weak point is not the engine block but the i-SHIFT automated gearbox of the Jazz II and Civic VIII, along with the clutch and flywheel, which wear out sooner than expected.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp83–143 hp
Production2004–2011[8][9][10][11][12]2001–2020[4][5][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Faulty valves and ignition faults in the first units (2004-2005)
  2. Low severity: Lambda sensor faults
  3. Low severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
  1. High severity: i-SHIFT automated gearbox actuator failure
  2. High severity: Loosening of the water pump pulley and accessory belt failure
  3. Medium severity: Premature clutch and flywheel wear
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[3][12]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[14][15]
  • 1.4 i-DSI 83 (L13A1, Civic VII and VIII)[4][16]
  • 1.2 i-VTEC 90 (Jazz II)[6]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC 102 (Jazz III)[17]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC 130 (Jazz III)[17]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA hybrid 98+14 (LDA-MF3, Insight II and Jazz Hybrid)[6][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][12]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][12][19]
  • 1.4 i-VTEC 100 (L13Z1, Civic VIII, Civic IX and Jazz II)[6][7]
  • 1.8 i-VTEC 140 (R18A2, Civic VIII)[7][20]
  • 1.8 i-VTEC 143 (R18Z4, Civic IX)[21]
  • 1.2 i-DSI 78 (L12A, Jazz I, 2002-2008)[22]
  • 1.4 i-DSI 83 (L13A, Jazz I, 2002-2008)[22]
  • 1.5 VTEC 111 (L15A1, Fit/Jazz I, 2002-2008)[22]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC 118 hp (L15Z1, Honda City GM6, 2014-2020)[23][24]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC

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Sources

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

  1. Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  2. Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  3. 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
  4. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Honda R engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  13. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  16. Honda Civic (seventh generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 3 (2015-2020)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Honda InsightWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  19. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  20. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  21. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Honda Jazz (I – IV): bekannte Schwachstellen & Krankheitengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  23. Alerta 46/2020: llamado a revisión de vehículos Honda y Acura (bomba de combustible)PROFECO (Red de Alerta Rápida) · Official body · published 10 September 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Alerta 41/2021: expansión del llamado a revisión de vehículos Honda y Acura (bomba de combustible)PROFECO (Red de Alerta Rápida) · Official body · published 22 June 2021 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish