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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5: 19/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Head gasket damaged after overheating».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

36

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 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 reliable?

The TU is one of PSA's most widely built petrol engines: more than 15.6 million units between 1986 and 2014. It is simple (no turbo, no direct injection or particulate filter, belt-driven timing) and has a reputation for durability. The faults owners cite most are cheap wear parts -ignition coils, sensors and thermostat- and not block failures or cylinder head design flaws.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power83–109 hp75–112 hp
Production2004–2011[8][9][10][11][12]1986–2014[4][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk36Moderate 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: Head gasket damaged after overheating
  2. Medium severity: Ignition coils that fail and cause jerking
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat stuck open or closed
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][12]
  • TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014)[5][6]
  • TU5 1.6 88-90 hp 8v (TU5JP, from 1994)[14][15]
  • TU5 1.6 16v 109-112 hp (TU5JP4/TU5NFU, from 2000)[5][6][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][12]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][12][16]
  • TU9 1.0 and TU1 1.1 (954 and 1,124 cc, 45-60 hp, 1986-2014)[17][18][19]
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

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

See the 18 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

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. Moteur PSA TUWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  13. PSA TU engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Citroën XsaraWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Fiabilité Citroën Saxo (1996-2003) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Peugeot 106 (1991-2003) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Quelle citadine d'occasion choisir ?L'argus · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French