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1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI vs 1.8 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI carries less risk than the 1.8 TCe: 7/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults; the 1.8 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars».

Risk index

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

7

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 TCe

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow 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 1.8 TCe reliable?

The 1.8 TCe (M5P) in the Alpine A110 and the Mégane R.S. IV has no documented endemic faults. What has been published are recalls for the A110: the oil pressure solenoid valve (2019) and the fuel pump (2021 and 2023). We have found no recalls or complaints about this engine in the Mégane R.S.[7][8][9][10]

See the 2 of the 1.8 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI and 1.8 TCe
1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI1.8 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,798 cm³
TimingChain—
Power106–170 hp252–350 hp
Productionsince 2017[1][2][11][12][13]2017–2026[10][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)7Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults22
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityLow severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Low severity: Jerky or harsh automatic gearbox shifts when cold or at low speed (MG HS)
  2. Low severity: Electronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS)
  1. High severity: A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars
  2. High severity: A110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hot
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)[4]
  • 1.8 TCe 280–300 hp (M5P, Mégane R.S. IV, 2018–2023)[7][9][10]
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]
  • 1.8 TCe 252–350 hp (M5P, Alpine A110, 2017–2026)[7][9]
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

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

1.8 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

With the 1.8 TCe

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. MG ZS (crossover)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. MG HSWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Essai complet : MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes du MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes du MG eHSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. 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
  7. Rappels Alpine A110 (2019). Risque de casse moteurL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 August 2019 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  8. Rappel Alpine A110. La pompe à essence de 2 849 exemplaires remplacéeL'argus · Motoring press · published 7 September 2021 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  9. Alpine A110. Un nouveau rappel pour remplacer des pompes à essenceL'argus · Motoring press · published 25 October 2023 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  10. Renault Mégane IVWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  11. MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  15. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  16. MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  17. 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