2003 Daewoo Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Daewoo Matiz passed 66.4% of its 1,739 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Matiz comes out 5.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.7%) and suspension (17.0%) 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 headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 247 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.8% in the 0-30k band and 44.7% in the 90-120k band, a 20.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.0% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 308 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 296 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.8% | 240 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 187 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 175 |
| 6 | Visibility | 9.1% | 158 |
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 | 247 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 202 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 192 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 165 |
| 5 | Wipers | 118 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 116 |
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 | 35.3% | 614 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.2% | 525 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.7% | 447 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 321 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 294 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 234 |
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 | 256 | 23.8% |
| 30-60k | 945 | 33.2% |
| 60-90k | 417 | 37.4% |
| 90-120k | 114 | 44.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 595 | 37.0% |
| 2022 | 433 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 313 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 239 | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 159 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Matiz
On a 2003 Matiz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.0% 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.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 2003 Daewoo Matizs pass their MOT?
66.4% of the 1,739 2003 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Daewoo Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2003 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.8% in the 0-30k band to 44.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,739 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.