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0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC vs Porsche MA1 / 9A1: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC carries less risk than the Porsche MA1 / 9A1: 18/100 (low risk) versus 25/100 (moderate risk). The 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults; the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented».

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

18

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

25

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

24 sourcesHow we work

Is the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC reliable?

The GM Daewoo S-TEC engines (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 naturally aspirated, low power) power the Matiz, Spark, Aveo 1.2, Beat and Sail. The sources consulted document only minor and cheap faults, such as oil leaks and ignition faults on the Matiz, and we have found no structural engine fault.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC faults

Is the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 reliable?

Yes, it is noticeably more reliable than the M96/M97: it eliminated the intermediate shaft with its IMS bearing and, according to FCP Euro, the connecting rod bolt failures. What is documented is minor: carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, coolant pump leaks on the 991.1 and, rarely, bore scoring on the 997.2.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC and Porsche MA1 / 9A1
0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TECPorsche MA1 / 9A1
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power52–84 hp255–400 hp
Production2002–2022[8][9][10][11][12]2009–2016[4][7][13][14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)18Low risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Ignition system faults (high-tension leads and modules)
  2. Low severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover and sump
  1. Critical severity: Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Leaks from the electronically controlled coolant pumps of the 991.1 and the plastic water pump
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 S-TEC and S-TEC II 72-84 hp (Aveo T200/T250, 2005-2011)[18][19]
  • 1.0 and 1.2 S-TEC II DOHC 16v (Spark M300, Beat and Sail, 2010-2022)[2][3]
  • 3.6 Carrera 345 hp (MA1.02, 2009-2012)[4][6][7]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 385 hp (MA1.01, 2009-2012)[6][7]
  • 2.9 Boxster/Cayman 255-265 hp (MA1.20, 2009-2012, no direct injection)[5][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 0.8 and 1.0 S-TEC SOHC (Matiz/Spark M200, 2005-2009)[1][12]
  • 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)[20][21][22]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S 310-320 hp (MA1.21/.22, 2009-2012, direct injection)[5][23]
  • 3.4 Carrera 350 hp (MA1.04, 2011-2015)[6]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 400 hp (MA1.03, 2011-2015)[6]
  • 2.7 Boxster/Cayman 265-275 hp (MA1.22, 2012-2016)[23][24]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S / GTS 315-340 hp (MA1.23, 2012-2016)[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 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

With the Porsche MA1 / 9A1

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. Czy warto kupić: używany Daewoo / FSO Matiz (od 1998 do 2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 22 August 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  2. Chevrolet Spark hatchback reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published October 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Fiabilité Chevrolet Spark (2009-2015): pannes, rappels et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. The Definitive Guide To Porsche 997 Engines (M96.05, M97, MA1)FCP Euro · Other source · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Porsche 987: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · published 1 November 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Porsche 911: 5 Generationen im Gebrauchtwagen-CheckAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Porsche 997Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Porsche 991Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Differences between M96 and M97 enginesFlat Six Innovations · Other source · published 25 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. List of Porsche enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. 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
  19. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  20. Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Porsche Cayman and Boxster Common Problems: A Specialist Field GuideForeign Automotive · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  24. Porsche 981: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026