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1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT carries less risk than the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 23/100 (low risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults; the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT».

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

50

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

23 sourcesHow 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 reliable?

Eight-valve petrol engines, simple, with a timing belt. For the European 1.0 and 1.4, sources only record isolated incidents, mainly ignition faults in damp weather on the 1.4. In Brazil, the 2008-2010 1.0 VHT of the Gol, Voyage and Fox suffered lubrication-related noise, an oil campaign with extended warranty and a software recall in 2009.[6][7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power82–92 hp50–104 hp
Productionsince 2008[1][2]1991–2022[10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk50High risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT
  2. Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo 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][14][15]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[5]
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[16][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)[8][9]
  • 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)[6][18][19][20]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[6][18][21][22]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[18][23]
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 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

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. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  7. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  8. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  9. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  10. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  13. Troca de bomba d'água e correia de sincronismo do Gol G5 EA111Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 7 March 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  14. Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. Justiça do RS determina recall de 400 mil veículos da VolkswagenOlhar Direto (con G1) · General press · published 13 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  19. Substituição de bobina, cabos e velas de ignição do Volkswagen Fox 1.0Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 1 December 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  20. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  21. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  22. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  23. Este é o motor Volkswagen que consumia mais óleo que gasolinaClick Petróleo e Gás · General press · published 12 June 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese