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1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 27/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) 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

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate 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

27 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 1.0, 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.[7][8][9][10]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power83–136 hp50–104 hp
Productionsince 1999[1][2][11]1991–2022[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)27Moderate risk50High risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityCritical 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: 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
  • 1.3 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][16]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[17][18][19]
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[20][21]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)[2][3][4]
  • 1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)[9][10]
  • 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)[7][22][23][24]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[7][22][25][26]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[22][27]
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 11 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

See the 9 models with the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Other comparisons

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

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

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. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  8. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  9. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  10. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  11. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  15. 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
  16. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  17. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  18. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  19. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  25. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  26. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  27. 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