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1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) vs 1.8 T 20v: 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 1.8 T 20v: 27/100 versus 32/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults; the 1.8 T 20v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Turbo wear and oil consumption».

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 T 20v

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

21 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

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

Is the 1.8 T 20v reliable?

With up-to-date maintenance, the 20-valve 1.8T has a reputation as a powerful, durable engine for its time, but owner reports document recurring faults: ignition coils (especially on 2001 to 2003 units), water pump and air mass meter, and less often the turbo -sometimes linked to growing oil consumption- and the timing chain tensioner.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

See the 5 of the 1.8 T 20v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) and 1.8 T 20v
1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)1.8 T 20v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,781 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power83–136 hp150–225 hp
Productionsince 1999[1][2][13]1996–2006[14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)27Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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)
  1. High severity: Turbo wear and oil consumption
  2. Medium severity: Water pump failure
  3. Medium severity: Timing chain tensioner noise and wear
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)[2][3][6]
  • 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)[4][18]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[19][20][21]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)[2][3][4]
  • 1.8 T 20v 150 hp (AEB/AGU/ARZ/AUM, 1996-2005)[8][12]
  • 1.8 T 20v 180 hp (AUQ, 1998-2006)[9][10]
  • 1.8 T 20v 225 hp quattro (BAM, 1999-2006)[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

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

See the 9 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

1.8 T 20v

See the 11 models with the 1.8 T 20v

Other comparisons

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

With the 1.8 T 20v

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. Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  4. Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen Golf IVFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen PassatFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes Audi A3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Audi TTFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Seat LeónFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. List of Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Audi TTWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. SEAT LeónWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. SEAT ToledoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  19. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  20. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  21. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French