Daewoo
Matiz
1,838 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Matizs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 19.9 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
57.6%
Pass-after-fix
5.2%
Fail
36.0%
Avg miles
57,123
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Matiz: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,693 MOT tests, the Matiz returns 59.5% first-time pass — near the bottom of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A defective headlamp lens and headlamp aim out of spec round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 55,118, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 2–5
A low-group car — among the cheapest to insure in the UK. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
2–5
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
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
242 occurrences · 13.2% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
194 occurrences · 10.6% of tests
- 03
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
139 occurrences · 7.6% of tests
- 04
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.
101 occurrences · 5.5% of tests
- 05
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
99 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 06
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
93 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
92 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 08
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
81 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 09
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
77 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
77 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£80–£340
If every one of this Matiz's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
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Recall history
3 UK recalls on record.
The Matiz has 3 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Matiz?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Matiz and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.