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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II 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 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II: 7/100 versus 19/100 (both low risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 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

21 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 1.5 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.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp106–170 hp
Production2004–2011[10][11][12][13][14]since 2017[4][5][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk7Low risk
Documented faults32
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityLow 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. 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 versions
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[3][14]
  • 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)[7]
  • 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (15S4C, MG3, 2013–2024)[18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][14]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][14][19]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)[8][9][20][21]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)[5]
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

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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. MG ZS (crossover)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. MG HSWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Essai complet : MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes du MG eHSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. 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
  10. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. 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
  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. MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  21. 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