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0.9 TCe vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) carries less risk than the 0.9 TCe: 27/100 versus 49/100 (both moderate risk). The 0.9 TCe has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak at the thermostat housing»; the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

0.9 TCe

49

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate 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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the 0.9 TCe reliable?

The 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) is a three-cylinder turbo with a good reliability reputation, better than that of its sibling the 1.2 TCe: it does not share the same oil consumption or the same rate of chain problems. Its most-cited weak point is a coolant leak at the thermostat housing, which if ignored can end up damaging the head gasket; chain, turbo and lambda sensor cases appear less often.[1][2]

See the 5 of the 0.9 TCe 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.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.9 TCe and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
0.9 TCe1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement898 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power90 hp83–136 hp
Production2012–2024[1][2][9][10][11]since 1999[3][4][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)49Moderate risk27Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity30
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure
  3. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  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 versionsNone
  • 1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)[4][5][8]
  • 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)[6][13]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[14][15][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 0.9 TCe 90 (H4Bt, 2012-2024)[1][2]
  • 1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)[4][5][6]
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

0.9 TCe

See the 8 models with the 0.9 TCe

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 0.9 TCe

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. Fiabilité des 0.9 TCeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  6. Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Mercedes-Benz M281 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Renault ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Dacia SanderoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French