1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) carries less risk than the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: 14/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults; the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202611 sources How we work

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.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Is the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) reliable?

The 1.5 K15B in the Suzuki Jimny is a 102 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a timing chain, simple and with no documented faults of its own. The only thing recorded in Europe is a 2018-2020 recall for the fuel pump, precautionary and with a definitive remedy.^[6][7][8]

See the of the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT and 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Item	1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT	1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,462 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	82–92 hp	102 hp
Production	since 2008^[1][2]	since 2018^[1][2][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	23Low risk	14Low risk
Documented faults	5	1
Of high or critical severity	0	0
Worst severity	Medium severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall	Medium severity: Fuel pump with resin impeller that swells (recall)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)^[4] 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)^[5][10][11] 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)^[5]	1.5 K15B 102 hp (Jimny IV, 2018-present)^[6][7][8]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	None
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

See the 7 models with the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Suzuki Jimny IV

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

With the 1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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.

Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Problemas Suzuki JimnyTotalrenting · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny Problemecarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French