1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI carries less risk than the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR): 7/100 versus 14/100 (both low risk). The 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Low risk · 0 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202619 sources How we work

Is the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI reliable?

MG/SAIC's "1.5" covers two different engines: the naturally aspirated VTi-TECH (106 hp), the entry-level engine in the MG ZS, and the turbocharged T-GDI (162-170 hp), found only in the MG HS and as the petrol engine in its plug-in hybrids. Neither has well-documented engine faults in independent sources yet: the complaints published concern electronics, the automatic gearbox and finish, not the engine block.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 2 of the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI faults

Is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) reliable?

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.^[7][8][9]

See the of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI and 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Item	1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI	1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,198 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	106–170 hp	80–98 hp
Production	since 2017^{[1][2][10][11][12]}	2010–2017^[13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	7Low risk	14Low risk
Documented faults	2	1
Of high or critical severity	0	0
Worst severity	Low severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Low severity: Jerky or harsh automatic gearbox shifts when cold or at low speed (MG HS) Low severity: Electronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS)	Medium severity: Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)^[4]	1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)^[7][8]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)^{[5][6][16][17]} 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)^[2]	1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)^[9][18][19]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

With the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

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.

MG ZS (crossover)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
MG HSWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet : MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du MG eHSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
MG HS PHEV: guía definitiva de problemas y soluciones del SUV, el híbrido enchufable más vendidoAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 10 November 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Nissan HR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
MG HS SUV (2019-2024) Exclusive 1.5T-GDI 5d: opinión de propietario (10 jun 2022)Parkers · Owners' forum · published 10 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language