2002 Hyundai Matrix — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Hyundai Matrix passed 67.6% of its 753 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 2.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (15.0%) and suspension (14.1%) 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 90 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 36.7% versus 28.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.2% in 2021 to 30.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 113 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 106 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.8% | 104 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 79 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 48 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 90 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 67 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 40 |
| 6 | Sub-frame | 37 |
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 | 42.5% | 320 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.1% | 302 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.9% | 248 |
| 4 | Other defects | 27.1% | 204 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.3% | 168 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.3% | 160 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 179 | 28.5% |
| 60-90k | 289 | 32.2% |
| 90-120k | 197 | 36.5% |
| 120-150k | 49 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 246 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 179 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 142 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 107 | 33.6% |
| 2025 | 79 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Matrix
On a 2002 Matrix, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.0% 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+.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- 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 2002 Hyundai Matrixs pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 753 2002 Hyundai Matrix MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Hyundai Matrix?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2002 Matrix get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.5% in the 30-60k band to 36.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 753 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.