Daewoo Matiz
From 1,608 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older Matizs fare better: 2005 models pass at 50% vs 58.2% for 2004.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 235 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 235 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 130 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 113 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 107 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 87 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 85 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 82 |
| headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 75 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 71 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 62 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 52.6% of Matiz failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 21% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £191.
Daewoo Matiz on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 443 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 443. At this rate, roughly 6.3 years until none remain. Now at 4.7% of its peak (59,785 in 2005 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 542 | 2,269 | +0 | -58 | -58 |
| 2025 Q2 | 594 | 2,275 | +0 | -73 | -73 |
| 2025 Q1 | 650 | 2,292 | +0 | -144 | -144 |
| 2024 Q4 | 709 | 2,377 | +0 | -168 | -168 |
| 2024 Q3 | 777 | 2,477 | +0 | -136 | -136 |
| 2024 Q2 | 871 | 2,519 | +0 | -66 | -66 |
| 2024 Q1 | 920 | 2,536 | +0 | -108 | -108 |
| 2023 Q4 | 1,031 | 2,533 | +0 | -82 | -82 |
4 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matiz Se | Petrol | 173 | 37% |
| Matiz Se Plus | Petrol | 105 | 22% |
| Matiz Se+ | Petrol | 101 | 21% |
| Matiz Xtra | Gas | 92 | 20% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 50% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2004 | 58.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2003 | 57.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2002 | 61.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
1 earlier years
| 2001 | 53.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. |
Typical mileage
Half of all Matizs tested had between 49,149 and 80,459 miles on the clock.
At 64,463 median miles, the Matiz has 0.065 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Daewoo models
| Daewoo Kalos | 56.2% |
Common questions
What is the Daewoo Matiz MOT pass rate?
The Daewoo Matiz has a 57.8% MOT pass rate based on 1,608 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Daewoo Matiz?
The most common MOT failure on the Daewoo Matiz is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 235 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Daewoo Matizs are on UK roads?
There are 542 Daewoo Matizs currently licensed on UK roads, with 2,269 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Daewoo Matiz at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Daewoo Matiz is 64,463 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 49,149 and 80,459 miles.
Buying a used Matiz?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 57.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £191 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 52.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.