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0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC vs 1.8 T 20v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC carries less risk than the 1.8 T 20v: 18/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC has no documented serious faults; the 1.8 T 20v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Turbo wear and oil consumption».

Risk index

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

18

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 T 20v

32

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

23 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 1.8 T 20v reliable?

With up-to-date maintenance, the 20-valve 1.8T has a reputation as a powerful, durable engine for its time, but owner reports document recurring faults: ignition coils (especially on 2001 to 2003 units), water pump and air mass meter, and less often the turbo -sometimes linked to growing oil consumption- and the timing chain tensioner.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.8 T 20v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC and 1.8 T 20v
0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC1.8 T 20v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,781 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power52–84 hp150–225 hp
Production2002–2022[10][11][12][13][14]1996–2006[15][16][17][18]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)18Low risk32Moderate 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: Turbo wear and oil consumption
  2. Medium severity: Water pump failure
  3. Medium severity: Timing chain tensioner noise and wear
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)[19][20]
  • 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][14]
  • 1.4 S-TEC DOHC 16v 102 hp (LCU, Sail, 2010-2015)[21][22][23]
  • 1.8 T 20v 150 hp (AEB/AGU/ARZ/AUM, 1996-2005)[5][9]
  • 1.8 T 20v 180 hp (AUQ, 1998-2006)[6][7]
  • 1.8 T 20v 225 hp quattro (BAM, 1999-2006)[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 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

With the 1.8 T 20v

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. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen Golf IVFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen PassatFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Audi A3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Audi TTFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Seat LeónFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Chevrolet AveoWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Chevrolet MatizWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. List of Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Audi TTWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. SEAT LeónWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. SEAT ToledoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  19. 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
  20. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  21. Chevrolet SailWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Chevrolet Sail: conócelo en detalleAutocosmos Chile · Motoring press · published 3 November 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Lanzamiento Chevrolet SailAutoblog Uruguay · Motoring press · published May 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish