2009 Hyundai Matrix — MOT failures & pass rate
2,120 MOT tests on the 2009 Hyundai Matrix are in this dataset, and 74.0% of them passed. That is 1.1 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and suspension (8.8%) 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 187 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.4% versus 15.4%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 249 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.8% | 186 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 181 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.6% | 161 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 141 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.4% | 135 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 187 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 160 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 129 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 121 |
| 5 | Wipers | 103 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 83 |
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 | 31.4% | 666 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.8% | 610 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.5% | 434 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 391 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 377 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.1% | 299 |
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 | 136 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 664 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 836 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 343 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 116 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,889 | 25.0% |
| Diesel | 231 | 34.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 490 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 468 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 433 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 384 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 345 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Matrix
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 (8.5% 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 2009 Hyundai Matrixs pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 2,120 2009 Hyundai Matrix MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Hyundai Matrix?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.8%).
Does the 2009 Matrix get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,120 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.