1999 Daewoo Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
353 MOT tests on the 1999 Daewoo Matiz are in this dataset, and 67.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.3% fail rate), the 1999 Matiz comes out 6.5pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.2%) and suspension (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 48 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1999 Matiz fails 32.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 35.0% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.2% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 46 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 45 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 37 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 31 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.2% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 48 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 35 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 27 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 23 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.8% | 130 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.3% | 114 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.0% | 106 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.5% | 90 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 48 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 47 |
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 | 34 | 32.4% |
| 30-60k | 198 | 30.8% |
| 60-90k | 100 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 115 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 92 | 34.8% |
| 2023 | 66 | 36.4% |
| 2024 | 48 | 35.4% |
| 2025 | 32 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Matiz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.2% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (14.2% 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.
- Suspension (13.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 1999 Daewoo Matizs pass their MOT?
67.1% of the 353 1999 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Daewoo Matiz?
Brakes, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 1999 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 353 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.