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1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) vs VR6: 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 VR6: 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 VR6 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «VR6 timing chain and tensioners».

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

VR6

50

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

25 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 VR6 reliable?

Its best-documented faults are the timing chain, with tensioners on the 12-valve versions and stretching on the 3.2 (R32, A3 8P, TT, Cayenne), and, to a lesser extent, the cooling system of the 12-valve versions. The 3.6 FSI comes out of the sources better than the 3.2.[7][8][9]

See the 2 of the VR6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) and VR6
1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)VR6
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power83–136 hp140–300 hp
Productionsince 1999[1][2][10]1991–2024[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)27Moderate risk50High risk
Documented faults42
Of high or critical severity01
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. Critical severity: VR6 timing chain and tensioners
  2. Medium severity: 12-valve VR6 cooling: water pump, thermostat and plastic pipes
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][14]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[15][16][17]
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]
  • 2.8 VR6 12V 140-174 hp (AAA, AMY, AES; 1991-2000)[7][18]
  • 2.9 VR6 12V 190 hp (ABV; 1994-1997)[7]
  • 2.8 V6 24V 204 hp (AQP, AUE, BDE, AMV, AYL; 1999-2008)[8][19][20]
  • 3.2 VR6 220-250 hp (BFH, BML, BDB, BMJ, BUB, BHE, BDL, BKK, AZZ, AXZ, CBRA; 2001-2010)[8][9][21][22]
  • 3.6 VR6 FSI 249-300 hp (BLV, BWS, CDVA, CCZB, CNNA, CMTA; 2005-2018)[9][23][24][25]
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)

VR6

See the 26 models with the VR6

Other comparisons

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

With the VR6

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 M engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · 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. VW Golf III VR6 (1991-1998)AutoBild · Motoring press · published 1 September 2003 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Gebrauchtwagen-Kaufberater: Was kann der Porsche Cayenne 9PA?AutoScout24 · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. VR6 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. VR6-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. VW EA390Wikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  16. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf III (1991-1998)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Seat Leon I: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  20. VW Bora (1J2): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  21. VW Golf 4: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  22. Audi TT: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  23. VW Passat CC: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  24. Probleme mit dem Porsche Cayenne (9PA y 92A)CarWiki.de · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  25. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French