Skip to content
MotorFiable

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC vs 1.2 8v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC carries less risk than the 1.2 8v: 18/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 8v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)».

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

18

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 8v

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

21 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 1.2 8v reliable?

The 1.2 8v (D7F) is a simple naturally aspirated engine of 54 to 60 hp, with a timing belt, which Renault fitted from 1996 to the Twingo, Clio II and Kangoo. No catastrophic failures are documented; what owner reviews mention most often are the sensors, the cylinder head gasket, the coil packs and the occasional oil drip.[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 1.2 8v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC and 1.2 8v
0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC1.2 8v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,149 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power52–84 hp54–60 hp
Production2002–2022[7][8][9][10][11]1996–2012[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)18Low risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh 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: Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)
  2. Medium severity: Crankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failure
  3. Medium severity: Ignition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidity
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)[16][17]
  • 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][11]
  • 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)[18][19][20]
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 1.2 8v

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 Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Renault Twingo 1993-2006 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Twingo 2 (2007-2014) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Moteur D (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  13. Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Renault Twingo IWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. 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
  17. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Renault Twingo (ab 1993): Schwachstellen laut TÜV-AuswertungAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German