2006 Chevrolet Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Chevrolet Matiz passed 66.8% of its 10,135 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.5 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.7%) and suspension (16.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,074 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 43.8% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 32.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 1,891 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 1,694 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 1,322 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 965 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 711 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.9% | 696 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,074 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 858 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 711 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 704 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 668 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 626 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.5% | 3,703 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.8% | 3,120 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 2,915 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 1,648 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 1,602 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 1,225 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,226 | 24.0% |
| 30-60k | 4,605 | 31.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,345 | 36.6% |
| 90-120k | 831 | 39.5% |
| 120-150k | 96 | 43.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,942 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 2,377 | 33.2% |
| 2023 | 1,984 | 32.7% |
| 2024 | 1,597 | 34.6% |
| 2025 | 1,235 | 35.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Matiz
On a 2006 Matiz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Chevrolet Matizs pass their MOT?
66.8% of the 10,135 2006 Chevrolet Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Chevrolet Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2006 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.0% in the 0-30k band to 43.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,135 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.