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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs MZR gasolina: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the MZR gasolina: 19/100 (low risk) versus 41/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the MZR gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

MZR gasolina

41

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

29 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 MZR gasolina reliable?

Mazda's naturally aspirated MZR petrol engines (1.3 to 2.5, 2002-2015) have a good reputation: the German press describes them as reliable and almost trouble-free if kept up to date with servicing. Little is documented: oil consumption (especially in the 2.3 of the Mazda6 GG), the odd isolated case of big-end bearings and the occasional ignition fault. We have found no recalls for these engines.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the MZR gasolina faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and MZR gasolina
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC IIMZR gasolina
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp75–170 hp
Production2004–2011[9][10][11][12][13]2002–2015[7][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk41Moderate risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0
  2. Medium severity: High oil consumption in the 2.3 MZR of the Mazda6 (GG)
  3. Low severity: Oil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileage
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][13]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[21][22]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][13]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][13][29]
  • 2.3 MZR naturally aspirated 165 hp (L3-VE, 2003-2008)[4][8]
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 MZR gasolina

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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. Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 8 August 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 4 December 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Mazda 3 I (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 3 December 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. Mazda 2 II (DE): Typische Mängel & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 September 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  8. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  14. Mazda L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  15. Mazda Z engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. Mazda2Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Mazda5Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  18. Mazda6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. Mazda MX-5 (NC)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  20. Mazda MX-5: Gebrauchtwagen kaufenAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 20 June 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  21. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  22. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  23. Fiabilité Mazda 2 (2006-2014)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  25. Mazda 3 II (2009 – 2013) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 October 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  26. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  27. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  28. Gebrauchtwagencheck Mazda MX-5 NCauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 14 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  29. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language