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0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC vs 0.9 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC carries less risk than the 0.9 TCe: 18/100 (low risk) versus 49/100 (moderate risk). The 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults; the 0.9 TCe has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak at the thermostat housing».

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

18

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

0.9 TCe

49

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

18 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 0.9 TCe reliable?

The 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) is a three-cylinder turbo with a good reliability reputation, better than that of its sibling the 1.2 TCe: it does not share the same oil consumption or the same rate of chain problems. Its most-cited weak point is a coolant leak at the thermostat housing, which if ignored can end up damaging the head gasket; chain, turbo and lambda sensor cases appear less often.[4][5]

See the 5 of the 0.9 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC and 0.9 TCe
0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC0.9 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—898 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power52–84 hp90 hp
Production2002–2022[6][7][8][9][10]2012–2024[4][5][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)18Low risk49Moderate risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity03
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. High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure
  3. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
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)[14][15]
  • 1.0 and 1.2 S-TEC II DOHC 16v (Spark M300, Beat and Sail, 2010-2022)[2][3]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 0.8 and 1.0 S-TEC SOHC (Matiz/Spark M200, 2005-2009)[1][10]
  • 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)[16][17][18]
  • 0.9 TCe 90 (H4Bt, 2012-2024)[4][5]
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 0.9 TCe

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. 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. Fiabilité des 0.9 TCeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Mercedes-Benz M281 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Renault ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Dacia SanderoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. 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
  15. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  16. Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish