Skip to content
MotorFiable

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 carries less risk than the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo: 50/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo»; the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT».

Risk index

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

50

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

20 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo reliable?

Mazda's 2.3 DISI Turbo (L3-VDT, 2005-2013) is powerful but demanding: the timing chain, the turbo and oil sludge are its weak points; only buy one with a good oil service history.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo faults

Is the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 reliable?

Eight-valve petrol engines, simple, with a timing belt. For the European 1.0 and 1.4, sources only record isolated incidents, mainly ignition faults in damp weather on the 1.4. In Brazil, the 2008-2010 1.0 VHT of the Gol, Voyage and Fox suffered lubrication-related noise, an oil campaign with extended warranty and a software recall in 2009.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
2.3 MZR DISI Turbo1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,261 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power256–263 hp50–104 hp
Production2005–2013[1][8]1991–2022[9][10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk50High risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo
  2. High severity: Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI Turbo
  3. Medium severity: Oil consumption and sludge in the 2.3 DISI Turbo engine
  1. High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT
  2. Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,200Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI TurboPublished figure[2]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[13][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo 256-260 hp (L3-VDT, 2005-2009)[1][2]
  • 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo (L3-VDT, 2010-2013)[1][2]
  • 1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)[6][7]
  • 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)[4][15][16][17]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[4][15][18][19]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[15][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

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

See the 9 models with the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Other comparisons

With the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

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. Mazda L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  2. Problemas Mazda CX-7Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  3. 2009 Mazda CX-7 engine problemsCarComplaints · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026
  4. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  5. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  6. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  8. Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  12. Troca de bomba d'água e correia de sincronismo do Gol G5 EA111Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 7 March 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  13. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  14. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. Justiça do RS determina recall de 400 mil veículos da VolkswagenOlhar Direto (con G1) · General press · published 13 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  16. Substituição de bobina, cabos e velas de ignição do Volkswagen Fox 1.0Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 1 December 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  17. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  18. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  19. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  20. Este é o motor Volkswagen que consumia mais óleo que gasolinaClick Petróleo e Gás · General press · published 12 June 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese