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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: 19/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT 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

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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

16 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 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT reliable?

The Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (K12B/K12C/K12M) is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a timing chain and indirect injection, fitted since 2008 to the Splash, Swift, Ignis and Baleno, with an SHVS mild-hybrid variant since 2016. It is reliable: there is no serious documented fault with the engine block itself; the main points are a clutch that wears out sooner than expected on some cars and two SHVS recalls that have already been resolved.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp82–92 hp
Production2004–2011[9][10][11][12][13]since 2008[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults35
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: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure
  2. Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software
  3. Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall
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]
  • 1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)[7]
  • 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)[8][14][15]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[8]
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][16]
None
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 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  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. Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language