2008 Chevrolet Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,069 MOT tests, the 2008 Chevrolet Matiz recorded a 70.1% pass rate. That is 3.1 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and suspension (14.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, ball joint and rigid brake pipes — headlamp alone was recorded 1,179 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.3% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 2,804 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 2,508 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.7% | 2,344 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.6% | 1,133 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 1,119 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 1,059 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 1,179 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,154 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,044 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,026 |
| 5 | Wipers | 974 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 968 |
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 | 36.8% | 6,278 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.7% | 5,918 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 4,996 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 2,347 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 2,316 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 1,967 |
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 | 1,990 | 20.2% |
| 30-60k | 7,908 | 28.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,760 | 33.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,232 | 36.3% |
| 120-150k | 135 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,544 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 3,956 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 3,394 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 2,895 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 2,280 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Matiz
On a 2008 Matiz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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 (13.7% 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 2008 Chevrolet Matizs pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 17,069 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chevrolet Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 2008 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.2% in the 0-30k band to 36.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,069 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.