How reliable are Chinese engines from GEELY and CHERY: should we be afraid of them?

The reliability of Chinese engines is one of the most discussed topics among owners and potential buyers. This is especially relevant when it comes to mileage over 100,000 km. The Auto30 team studied the experience of operating Chery and Geely cars to understand what to really expect from these power units.

One of the most discussed was the two-liter engine JLH-4G20TDB, installed on models such as Geely Tugella and Monjaro. Drivers note its modern design with direct fuel injection, which ensures high efficiency, but at the same time makes the engine more sensitive to the quality of gasoline and service intervals. With insufficiently frequent oil changes and the use of fuel below the recommended quality, scratch marks in the cylinders and increased oil consumption are possible already at 120,000 km. This results from carbon deposits on the intake valves—a common issue for direct injection engines.

The recommendations based on practice include compulsory endoscopic diagnostics when purchasing a used car, especially if it concerns an engine from this series. This will help avoid unpleasant "surprises" and expensive repairs.

Those looking for more reliable solutions should pay attention to Geely Coolray and Preface with BHE15-EFZ engines, especially starting from 2023. These units use a reinforced cylinder block, which positively affects durability. However, here too, the direct injection system requires attention— with proper maintenance, carbon deposit problems are significantly delayed.

In the Chery lineup, the turbocharged SQRE4T15C engine with 147 hp has positively established itself. It has a cast iron cylinder block and distributed fuel injection, ensuring stable operation under various conditions. In operation, it shows low oil consumption—within 0.5–0.7 liters per 10,000 km, which is within the norm and speaks of decent thermal stability and wear resistance.

Experience shows that cars with this engine confidently pass the 100,000 km mark without serious engine issues. In these cases, the main focus should be on the transmission—especially robotic gearboxes, which require timely maintenance and competent use.

Many drivers need to understand: various engine problems are not so much related to design as to operating conditions and insufficient maintenance.

When purchasing a car with a Chinese engine, regardless of brand and model, it is extremely important to check the maintenance history: when the oil was changed, filters, whether the valves were serviced. It is advisable to conduct diagnostics using an endoscope and request a technical condition report. All this will help avoid buying a car with a worn-out engine and ensure confidence in its durability.