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

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.6 DIG-T: 19/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.6 DIG-T has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 DIG-T

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

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 1.6 DIG-T reliable?

The 1.6 DIG-T (MR16DDT) has a reputation as a solid engine: a German buying guide describes it as powerful and free of notable problems, and a Spanish long-term test reports five years without faults in a Juke. Its documented weak points are occasional oil consumption, chain noise for a minority of owners and sensor failures; we have not found any recalls or a pattern of turbo failures.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 1.6 DIG-T faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.6 DIG-T
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.6 DIG-T
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,618 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp163–215 hp
Production2004–2011[9][10][11][12][13]2010–2019[14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Timing chain wear and noise
  2. Medium severity: Oil consumption from piston ring wear
  3. Low severity: Lambda sensor and other engine sensor failures
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]
None
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][18]
  • 1.6 DIG-T 163 (MR16DDT, Nissan Qashqai II)[4][5][7][19]
  • 1.6 DIG-T 190 (MR16DDT, Nissan Juke and Nissan Pulsar)[5][6][7][8]
  • 1.6 DIG-T Nismo / Nismo RS, 197-215 hp (MR16DDT, Nissan Juke only)[15]
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 1.6 DIG-T

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. Nissan Qashqai: Bekannte Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Problemas comunes del Nissan Qashqai: cómo solucionarlos en el popular SUVAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 9 September 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T 190 CV CVT 4x4 (prueba de propietario)km77 · Motoring press · published 11 September 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Avis moteur Nissan Qashqai 2 1.6 163 chFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Avis moteur Nissan Juke 1.6 Turbo 190 chFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 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. Nissan MR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Nissan JukeWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Nissan QashqaiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Motor Renault-Nissan Type-MWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  19. Essai complet Nissan Qashqai 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French