2007 Hyundai Matrix — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Hyundai Matrix passed 68.9% of its 4,989 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.1% fail rate), the 2007 Matrix comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and suspension (12.4%) 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 headlamp — joints alone was recorded 510 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.3% in the 0-30k band and 46.3% in the 150k+ band, a 29.0-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 30.8% fail against 33.6% for diesel, a 2.8-point gap across 4,989 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 30.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 688 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 621 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 561 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.4% | 520 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.1% | 355 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.0% | 348 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 510 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 409 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 324 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 301 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 298 |
| 6 | Wipers | 221 |
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 | 33.5% | 1,671 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.6% | 1,526 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.4% | 1,369 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 1,093 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 864 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.7% | 685 |
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 | 168 | 17.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,126 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,907 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,280 | 35.2% |
| 120-150k | 398 | 41.2% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 46.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,462 | 30.8% |
| Diesel | 527 | 33.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,357 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 1,171 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 960 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 828 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 673 | 33.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Matrix
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.2% 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 2007 Hyundai Matrixs pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 4,989 2007 Hyundai Matrix MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Hyundai Matrix?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.4%).
Does the 2007 Matrix get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.3% in the 0-30k band to 46.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,989 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.