Hyundai Matrix: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Hyundai Matrix fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 18 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 3,509 individual Hyundai Matrix tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 58.7% first-time pass rate means roughly 41 in every 100 Hyundai Matrix presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average Hyundai Matrix tested had covered 79,116 miles and was built around 2006.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Hyundai Matrix bought as a repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Hyundai Matrix rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Hyundai Matrix actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Hyundai Matrix

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 4.5% of tests (16.75x the national rate for this defect)
2. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 3.6% of tests (11.74x the national rate for this defect)
3. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 9.8% of tests (8.78x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 5.5% of tests (6.68x the national rate for this defect)
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.2% of tests (3.9x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.4% of tests (3.15x the national rate for this defect)
7. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 4% of tests (2.92x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.8% of tests (2.75x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.6% of tests (2.72x the national rate for this defect)
10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.9% of tests (2.38x the national rate for this defect)

From 5,309 DVSA-tracked Hyundai Matrix tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.82% of these flagged Hyundai Matrix defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

Hyundai Matrix pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each Hyundai Matrix year:

• 2004 Hyundai Matrix - 59.5% first-time pass, 380 tests
• 2005 Hyundai Matrix - 59.7% first-time pass, 611 tests
• 2006 Hyundai Matrix - 60.7% first-time pass, 703 tests
• 2007 Hyundai Matrix - 54.2% first-time pass, 594 tests
• 2008 Hyundai Matrix - 57.4% first-time pass, 448 tests
• 2009 Hyundai Matrix - 66.2% first-time pass, 299 tests

Hyundai Matrix by fuel type

Diesel and petrol versions of the same car fail on different things, so the fuel type moves the number:

• Petrol Hyundai Matrix - 59.9% first-time pass, 3,220 tests
• Diesel Hyundai Matrix - 51.4% first-time pass, 245 tests

Other Hyundai models

• Hyundai I10 - 78.3%
• Hyundai I20 - 78.3%
• Hyundai Tucson - 84%
• Hyundai I30 - 70.5%
• Hyundai Ix35 - 69.8%
• Hyundai Ioniq - 89.9%
• Hyundai Santa Fe - 71.3%
• Hyundai Ix20 - 76.5%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin - 59.1%
• Mazda 5 - 59%
• Nissan Pathfinder - 58.8%
• Renault Grand Modus - 58.7%
• Renault G - 58.5%
• Fiat Scudo - 58.3%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate