1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) vs 2.0 FSI: 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 2.0 FSI: 27/100 versus 34/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults; the 2.0 FSI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 FSI

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202619 sources How 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 2.0 FSI reliable?

The 2.0 FSI is the naturally aspirated version with which the Volkswagen Group introduced petrol direct injection in a two-litre engine, before moving on to the turbocharged 2.0 TSI. Two faults recur across several models: carbon build-up on the intake valves, inherent to direct injection, and ignition coil failure, documented from 5,000 km in one case. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de nevertheless counts it among the most reliable petrol engines in the Audi A4 B7.^{[7][8][9][10]}

See the 3 of the 2.0 FSI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) and 2.0 FSI
Item	1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)	2.0 FSI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,984 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	83–136 hp	150 hp
Production	since 1999^[1][2][11]	2003–2009^[12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	27Moderate risk	34Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	3
Of high or critical severity	0	0
Worst severity	Medium severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Faulty catalytic converter and lambda sensors on the 2005-2010 Swift (engine warning light) Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign) Medium severity: Fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)	Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves Medium severity: Ignition coil failure Low severity: Blocked EGR valve
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No 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][15] 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)^[16][17][18]	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]	2.0 FSI (EA113, 150 hp, 2003-2009)^{[7][8][9][10][19]}
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

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

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

2.0 FSI

See the 10 models with the 2.0 FSI

Other comparisons

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

With the 2.0 FSI

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Audi A3 8P: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
VW Passat B6 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Audi A4 B7 (8E) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volkswagen Golf Mk5Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volkswagen TouranWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
VW Passat B6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Volkswagen Passat - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French