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1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI carries less risk than the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): 7/100 (low risk) versus 27/100 (moderate risk). The 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults; the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

7

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

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

22 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 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) reliable?

Suzuki's M series (the 1.3-litre M13A, 1.5-litre M15A and 1.6-litre M16A, with a timing chain and indirect injection) has a reputation as a simple, reliable engine: we have found no documented serious fault in the block or the chain. What is on record are minor faults or one-off campaigns: the catalytic converter and lambda sensors of the 2005-2010 Swift, the catalytic converter of the 2006-2007 SX4, the Swift's fuel hose and the Grand Vitara and Jimny tensioner pulley.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

See the 4 of the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power106–170 hp83–136 hp
Productionsince 2017[1][2][13][14][15]since 1999[7][8][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)7Low risk27Moderate risk
Documented faults24
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: Faulty catalytic converter and lambda sensors on the 2005-2010 Swift (engine warning light)
  2. Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign)
  3. Medium severity: Fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)
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]
  • 1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)[8][9][12]
  • 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)[10][17]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[18][19][20]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)[5][6][21][22]
  • 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)[2]
  • 1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)[8][9][10]
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

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

See the 11 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

With the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

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 M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  9. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  10. Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  11. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  18. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  19. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  20. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  21. MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  22. 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