2001 Daewoo Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
1,048 MOT tests on the 2001 Daewoo Matiz are in this dataset, and 66.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2001 Matiz comes out 6.6pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.0%) and lighting & signalling (14.5%) 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 aim and service brake imbalance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 134 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.8% in the 0-30k band and 35.3% in the 90-120k band, a 4.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.6% in 2021 to 32.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.0% | 157 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 152 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.2% | 149 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 102 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.3% | 97 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.6% | 80 |
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 | 134 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 104 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 87 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 85 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 80 |
| 6 | Wipers | 77 |
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 | 34.7% | 364 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.2% | 337 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.2% | 254 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 188 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 187 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 174 |
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 | 156 | 30.8% |
| 30-60k | 578 | 32.0% |
| 60-90k | 249 | 38.6% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 379 | 35.6% |
| 2022 | 265 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 183 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 131 | 35.9% |
| 2025 | 90 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Matiz
On a 2001 Matiz, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
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 2001 Daewoo Matizs pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 1,048 2001 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Daewoo Matiz?
Suspension, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.5%).
Does the 2001 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,048 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.