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0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet carries less risk than the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC: 6/100 versus 18/100 (both low risk). The 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults; the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

18

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

6

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet reliable?

The Suzuki Boosterjet (1.0 K10C and 1.4 K14C/K14D) is a turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine with a timing chain, fitted since 2015 to the Vitara, S-Cross, Swift Sport and Baleno, with a 48 V mild-hybrid variant of the 1.4 since 2020. German TÜV inspection reports and the workshops we consulted rate its reliability as high: no widespread fault with the chain, oil, fuel pump or mild-hybrid system is documented.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC and 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power52–84 hp110–140 hp
Production2002–2022[9][10][11][12][13]since 2015[4][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)18Low risk6Low risk
Documented faults24
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityLow 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. Low severity: Timing chain: no documented pattern of failures
  2. Low severity: Oil consumption: no documented pattern
  3. Low severity: Direct injection and fuel pump: no documented faults or recalls
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)[17][18]
  • 1.0 and 1.2 S-TEC II DOHC 16v (Spark M300, Beat and Sail, 2010-2022)[2][3]
  • 1.0 Boosterjet 110-112 hp (K10C, three-cylinder, 2015-present)[5][6][19][20]
  • 1.4 Boosterjet 140 hp (K14C, non-hybrid, 2015-2020 in Europe)[5][6][21]
  • 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid 129 hp (K14D, 48V SHVS, since 2020)[15][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 0.8 and 1.0 S-TEC SOHC (Matiz/Spark M200, 2005-2009)[1][13]
  • 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)[22][23][24]
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 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

With the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

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. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Gebrauchtwagen-Check: Grundsätzlich gut: Der Suzuki Vitara beim TÜVVolksstimme (dpa) · General press · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Suzuki Swift als Gebrauchtwagen: Diese Punkte beanstandet der TÜV häufigT-Online · General press · published October 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Los mecánicos recomiendan el Suzuki Vitara porque no presume de moderno, sino de sencillo y baratoEl Nacional · General press · published September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Test complet Suzuki VitaraFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Suzuki Swift Sport, Vitara y S-Cross: nuevas versiones micro-híbridas de 48VAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 16 December 2019 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid 2020: precios y datos del nuevo SUVAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 12 March 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. 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
  18. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  19. Suzuki Vitara : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  20. Suzuki Swift 3 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  21. Prueba Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet 140 CVActualidad Motor · Motoring press · published 16 May 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish