2006 Hyundai Matrix — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,662 MOT tests, the 2006 Hyundai Matrix recorded a 70.6% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 29.7%, so the 2006 Matrix sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.5%) and lighting & signalling (12.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — joints alone was recorded 557 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 37.0% versus 12.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.5% | 710 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 710 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 615 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 524 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.1% | 400 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 372 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 557 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 471 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 336 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 332 |
| 5 | Wipers | 281 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 242 |
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 | 33.4% | 1,892 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.9% | 1,860 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.3% | 1,658 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 1,278 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 1,057 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.4% | 813 |
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 | 175 | 12.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,382 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,204 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,425 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 382 | 35.3% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,343 | 29.0% |
| Diesel | 319 | 34.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,533 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 1,306 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 1,138 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 935 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 750 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Matrix
On a 2006 Matrix, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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
How many 2006 Hyundai Matrixs pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 5,662 2006 Hyundai Matrix MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Hyundai Matrix?
Suspension, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.5%).
Does the 2006 Matrix get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 0-30k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,662 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.