2.0 TSI / TFSI vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): 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 TSI / TFSI: 27/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption»; the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

2.0 TSI / TFSI

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202620 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI reliable?

It depends above all on the generation. The earliest units (2008-2012, without Valvelift) have more oil consumption complaints and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear; from 2012 the Valvelift design reduced oil consumption but kept carbon build-up on the intake valves as a weak point until, around 2016, supplementary indirect injection was added. The thermostat housing with the integrated water pump leaks coolant in several generations.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI faults

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.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TSI / TFSI and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Item	2.0 TSI / TFSI	1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,984 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	170–320 hp	83–136 hp
Production	since 2008^[1][12]	since 1999^[6][7][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	27Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	High severity: High oil consumption Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves	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)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)^[1][5][15]	1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)^[7][8][11] 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)^[9][16] 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)^[17][18][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)^{[2][3][15][20]} 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)^[2][3][15]	1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)^[7][8][9]
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

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 33 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

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)

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

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

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.Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
2.Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
3.Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
4.Motores TFSI: características, ventajas e inconvenientesAutofácil · Motoring press · published 18 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
5.Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
6.Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
7.Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
8.Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
9.Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
10.DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
11.Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
12.Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
13.Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
14.Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 19 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
15.Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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.Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French