1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI engine: faults and reliability

• 1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)

  since 2017 · 106 hp · NSE, NSE Plus

  Buy

  We have not found any documented engine faults, either in the press or in the owner testimonials we consulted; it is a simple naturally aspirated engine with no turbo. The caution is that the available data is thin: only four reviews on the reliability website consulted.^[4]

• 1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)

  2018–2024 · 162 hp · GS61H

  With caution

  No engine faults (turbo, injection, oil) are documented yet, but there are isolated complaints about electronics and jerky automatic gearbox shifts when cold; in addition, the reliability website consulted has no testimonials on this engine. Try the gearbox from cold and check the history before buying.^{[5][6][10][11]}

• 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)

  since 2024 · 170 hp · 15FDE, 15FKE

  With caution

  This generation is too recent (since July 2024) for published reliability data; the same caution applies as for the first generation, as it shares the architecture and the automatic gearbox.^[2]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1Low severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionJerky or harsh automatic gearbox shifts when cold or at low speed (MG HS)Some MG HS cars with the 1.5 T-GDI engine jerk when changing gear from cold or when driving slowly, because of the gearbox software calibration; it is fixed with a reprogramming at the dealer and, in severe cases, by replacing a component.
2. 2Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsElectronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS)Some MG HS/eHS cars show intermittent cut-outs in electronic modules and warning lights caused by sensor faults, attributed to faulty connections or coding errors; it is fixed by updating the software and checking the wiring.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

SAIC Motor (MG Motor)

Family

SGE (Small Gasoline Engine, diseño Opel / General Motors)

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

—

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Direct injection

Timing

Chain

Power

106–170 hp

Production

since 2017

Makes

MG

Technical data^{[1][2][7][8][9]}

1. since 2017

   1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)

   Entry-level petrol engine of the MG ZS: inline four-cylinder, no turbo, direct injection. On the British market it produces 106 hp (78 kW) and 141 Nm; in China, with a different calibration, up to 120 hp. It is paired with a manual or automatic gearbox depending on version and market.^[1][3]

2. 2018–2024

   1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)

   First generation of the MG HS petrol turbo: four cylinders, 1,490 cc, direct injection, 162 hp (119 kW) and 250 Nm between 1,500 and 4,400 rpm. 6-speed manual or 7-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox; it is also the petrol engine of the first-generation HS PHEV (258 hp combined, 16.6 kWh battery).^[2][7]

3. since 2024

   1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)

   Second generation, with displacement slightly increased to 1,496 cc: 170 hp (125 kW) and 275 Nm between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm. It keeps the 6-speed manual or the 7-speed dual-clutch; the code 15FKE identifies the version used in the HS PHEV.^[2][7]