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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: 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 and 2.0 8v EA827: 19/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.[4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power83–109 hp75–120 hp
Production2004–2011[8][9][10][11][12]1991–2013[13][14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults36
Of high or critical severity02
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: Timing belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[3][12]
  • 1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)[4][19]
  • 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)[5][20]
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][21]
  • 1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)[7]
  • 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)[4][7]
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 and 2.0 8v EA827

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. VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 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. Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language