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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs M112 / M113: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the M112 / M113: 19/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the M112 / M113 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Crankshaft pulley (vibration damper) failure».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M112 / M113

32

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

19 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 M112 / M113 reliable?

The M112 (V6, 2.4 to 3.7 litres) and the M113 (V8, 4.3 to 5.5 litres) are Mercedes-Benz petrol engines from 1997 to 2011 (the V6 ends earlier, around 2006). The sources treat them as reliable if maintained: the documented faults are mainly oil leaks from the covers, the crankshaft sensor and, on some units, the crankshaft pulley.[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the M112 / M113 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and M112 / M113
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC IIM112 / M113
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp170–582 hp
Production2004–2011[7][8][9][10][11]1997–2011[4][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity01
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: Crankshaft pulley (vibration damper) failure
  2. Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure
  3. Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley failure
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][11]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[14][15]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][11]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][11][16]
  • M112 naturally aspirated V6 2.4 to 3.7 (E24, E26, E28, E32, E37; 1997-2006)[5][6][17]
  • M112 E32 ML supercharged (C 32 AMG, SLK 32 AMG; 2000-2004)[5][18]
  • M113 naturally aspirated V8 4.3, 5.0 and 5.4 AMG (E43, E50, E55; 1997-2010)[5][17][19]
  • M113K supercharged V8 5.4 (AMG 55 Kompressor; 2002-2011)[5][12]
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

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

M112 / M113

See the 15 models with the M112 / M113

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the M112 / M113

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. 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. Mercedes-Benz M112 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Mercedes M-Klasse W163: Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 4 June 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Mercedes E-Klasse W211, S211: Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 12 February 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  12. Mercedes-Benz M113 / M155 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Mercedes-Benz M 112Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 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. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  17. Mercedes-Benz W210Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  18. Fiabilité Mercedes SLK (1996-2004)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Motorinstandsetzung M113: Mercedes G-KlasseVÄTH Motorentechnik · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German