2005 Daewoo Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 530 MOT tests, the 2005 Daewoo Matiz recorded a 64.0% pass rate. That is 8.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.3%) and suspension (17.4%) 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 103 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 43.5% versus 26.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 32.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 97 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 92 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 69 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.8% | 57 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 44 |
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 | 103 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 50 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 41 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 35 |
| 6 | Wipers | 35 |
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 | 35.1% | 186 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.4% | 140 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.4% | 140 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 100 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.5% | 93 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 89 |
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 | 52 | 26.9% |
| 30-60k | 303 | 35.6% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 36.7% |
| 90-120k | 46 | 43.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 161 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 131 | 35.1% |
| 2023 | 108 | 40.7% |
| 2024 | 81 | 38.3% |
| 2025 | 49 | 34.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Matiz
On a 2005 Matiz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% 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 (13.0% 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 2005 Daewoo Matizs pass their MOT?
64.0% of the 530 2005 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 36.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Daewoo Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2005 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.9% in the 0-30k band to 43.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 530 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.