2002 Daewoo Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,241 MOT tests, the 2002 Daewoo Matiz recorded a 65.8% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2002 Matiz comes out 6.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.4%) and suspension (16.2%) 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 headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 160 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 43.1% versus 26.7%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 228 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 201 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 193 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 137 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 112 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.7% | 96 |
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 | 160 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 136 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 126 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 120 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 89 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 76 |
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 | 37.9% | 470 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.6% | 430 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.0% | 285 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 239 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.9% | 197 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 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 | 180 | 26.7% |
| 30-60k | 645 | 34.0% |
| 60-90k | 342 | 37.1% |
| 90-120k | 65 | 43.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 448 | 35.7% |
| 2022 | 298 | 34.2% |
| 2023 | 211 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 158 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 126 | 35.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Matiz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% 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 (15.6% 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 2002 Daewoo Matizs pass their MOT?
65.8% of the 1,241 2002 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Daewoo Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2002 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.7% in the 0-30k band to 43.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,241 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.