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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: 19/100 (low risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

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 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec reliable?

The naturally aspirated 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Ecotec engines from Opel/Vauxhall (GM Family 0; Z10XEP, Z12XEP/A12XER, Z14XEP/A14XER) powered much of the brand's small-car range between 2003 and 2019. It is a simple block with no systematically documented catastrophic engine failures, but with a timing chain tensioner that, according to several sources, does not last well, frequent coil failures and water pump or thermostat problems, and an Easytronic gearbox criticised for the way it changes gear.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp60–100 hp
Production2004–2011[10][11][12][13][14]1996–2019[15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk59High risk
Documented faults36
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: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks and increased consumption
  3. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,400Timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure[18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[3][14]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[19][20]
None
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][21]
  • Z10XEP / Z12XEP / Z14XEP Twinport (2003-2009)[4][5][6][7]
  • A10XEP / A12XEL / A12XER / A14XEL / A14XER / A14XFL (2008-2019)[4][8]
  • X10XE / X12XE (1.0 12V and 1.2 16V of the Corsa B, 1996-2000)[22][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 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

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. Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Opel Corsa 3 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Opel Astra (2004-2010) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Opel Meriva (2003-2009) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Opel Adam : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Opel Astra H: Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · 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. GM Family 0 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Opel Corsa CWikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Opel AdamWikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. Opel Corsa 4 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  20. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  21. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  22. Fiabilité Opel Corsa (1993-2000) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  23. Opel Corsa B (1993-2000)Auto Bild · Motoring press · published May 2004 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  24. Vételi tanácsadó: Opel Corsa BAutonavigator.hu · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language