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Porsche MA1 / 9A1 vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT carries less risk than the Porsche MA1 / 9A1: 23/100 (low risk) versus 25/100 (moderate risk). The Porsche MA1 / 9A1 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented»; the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1 reliable?

Yes, it is noticeably more reliable than the M96/M97: it eliminated the intermediate shaft with its IMS bearing and, according to FCP Euro, the connecting rod bolt failures. What is documented is minor: carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, coolant pump leaks on the 991.1 and, rarely, bore scoring on the 997.2.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 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.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Porsche MA1 / 9A1 and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Porsche MA1 / 9A11.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power255–400 hp82–92 hp
Production2009–2016[1][4][10][11][12][13][14]since 2008[5][6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk23Low risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Leaks from the electronically controlled coolant pumps of the 991.1 and the plastic water pump
  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
  • 3.6 Carrera 345 hp (MA1.02, 2009-2012)[1][3][4]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 385 hp (MA1.01, 2009-2012)[3][4]
  • 2.9 Boxster/Cayman 255-265 hp (MA1.20, 2009-2012, no direct injection)[2][10]
  • 1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)[8]
  • 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)[9][15][16]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S 310-320 hp (MA1.21/.22, 2009-2012, direct injection)[2][17]
  • 3.4 Carrera 350 hp (MA1.04, 2011-2015)[3]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 400 hp (MA1.03, 2011-2015)[3]
  • 2.7 Boxster/Cayman 265-275 hp (MA1.22, 2012-2016)[17][18]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S / GTS 315-340 hp (MA1.23, 2012-2016)[17][18]
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

Other comparisons

With the Porsche MA1 / 9A1

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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. The Definitive Guide To Porsche 997 Engines (M96.05, M97, MA1)FCP Euro · Other source · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Porsche 987: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Buying guide or workshop · published 1 November 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Porsche 911: 5 Generationen im Gebrauchtwagen-CheckAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  4. Porsche 997Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Porsche 991Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Differences between M96 and M97 enginesFlat Six Innovations · Buying guide or workshop · published 25 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. List of Porsche enginesWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 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. Porsche Cayman and Boxster Common Problems: A Specialist Field GuideForeign Automotive · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Porsche 981: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026