2004 Daewoo Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
3,670 MOT tests on the 2004 Daewoo Matiz are in this dataset, and 64.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 8.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.9%) and suspension (17.7%) 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 608 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 40.5% versus 26.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.2% in 2021 to 34.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 695 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.7% | 651 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.2% | 520 |
| 4 | Brakes | 14.2% | 520 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 387 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.4% | 307 |
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 | 608 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 405 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 360 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 359 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 311 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 272 |
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 | 36.2% | 1,327 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 1,063 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.5% | 1,009 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 763 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 606 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.7% | 466 |
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 | 443 | 26.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,656 | 33.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,241 | 40.1% |
| 90-120k | 280 | 43.2% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 40.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,294 | 37.2% |
| 2022 | 925 | 36.5% |
| 2023 | 671 | 34.6% |
| 2024 | 468 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 312 | 34.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Matiz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (14.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2004 Daewoo Matizs pass their MOT?
64.1% of the 3,670 2004 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Daewoo Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (17.7%).
Does the 2004 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.6% in the 0-30k band to 40.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,670 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.