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1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI carries less risk than the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: 7/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults; the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

7

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

23

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

18 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 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT reliable?

The Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (K12B/K12C/K12M) is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a timing chain and indirect injection, fitted since 2008 to the Splash, Swift, Ignis and Baleno, with an SHVS mild-hybrid variant since 2016. It is reliable: there is no serious documented fault with the engine block itself; the main points are a clutch that wears out sooner than expected on some cars and two SHVS recalls that have already been resolved.[7][8][9][10][11]

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power106–170 hp82–92 hp
Productionsince 2017[1][2][12][13][14]since 2008[7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)7Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityLow severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure
  2. Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software
  3. Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall
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]
  • 1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)[10]
  • 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)[11][15][16]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[11]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)[5][6][17][18]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)[2]
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

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

See the 7 models with the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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. 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. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  18. 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