Hyundai Matrix MOT pass rate & common failures
The Hyundai Matrix appears in 28,333 MOT tests spanning model years 2001–2017, and 70.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
Best and worst Matrix years
Ranked across Matrix years with at least 1,000 tests. Older cars fail more simply because they are older — compare years close together in age before drawing conclusions.
What the MOT record shows
Build year matters more than the headline suggests: 2010 cars pass 74.3% of the time while 2004 cars manage 68.8%, a 5.5-point spread.
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.4%) and suspension (12.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — joints alone was recorded 2,766 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 38.8% versus 16.0%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.2pp more often than petrol ones (32.7% vs 29.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Matrix model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 94 | 70.2% | 29.8% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2002 | 753 | 67.6% | 32.4% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2003 | 1,630 | 69.3% | 30.7% | Suspension |
| 2004 | 3,332 | 68.8% | 31.1% | Suspension |
| 2005 | 5,216 | 69.7% | 30.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 5,662 | 70.6% | 29.4% | Suspension |
| 2007 | 4,989 | 68.9% | 31.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 3,361 | 71.6% | 28.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 2,120 | 74.0% | 26.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 1,129 | 74.3% | 25.7% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 3,506 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.1% | 3,436 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 3,089 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.3% | 2,912 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,937 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 1,918 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.8% | 1,361 |
| 8 | Steering | 3.6% | 1,024 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,766 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,918 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,918 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,432 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,317 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,270 |
| 7 | Tread depth | 1,113 |
| 8 | Sub-frame | 1,040 |
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 | 34.2% | 9,684 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.9% | 8,767 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.8% | 8,166 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 5,858 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 4,849 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.5% | 4,098 |
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 | 969 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 6,932 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 11,038 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 6,935 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,970 | 37.2% |
| 150k+ | 477 | 38.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 26,197 | 29.5% |
| Diesel | 2,132 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,894 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 6,581 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 5,512 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 4,636 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 3,710 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a Hyundai Matrix
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai Matrix?
70.3% of the 28,333 Hyundai Matrix MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 29.7% fail rate, across model years 2001–2017.
What does the Hyundai Matrix most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, then suspension (12.1%).
Which Matrix years are best and worst for MOT results?
2010 has the best pass rate at 74.3% and 2004 the weakest at 68.8%, from 1,129 and 3,332 tests respectively.
How much does mileage affect Matrix MOT results?
Fail rates run at 16.0% for cars in the 0-30k band and 38.8% for 150k+, a 22.8-point difference.
Is the petrol or diesel Matrix more reliable at MOT time?
On MOT-testable defects the petrol fails 29.5% of the time against 32.7% for the diesel. This covers testable items only, not engine or gearbox reliability.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,333 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.