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Daewoo Matiz Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Daewoo Matiz car check

Is the Daewoo Matiz reliable? We analysed 724,041 real MOT tests across 61,622 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 724,041 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.9%
Typical Mileage
47,634mi
Annual Mileage
3,889mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Daewoo Matiz is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Daewoo Matiz.

Daewoo Matiz Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Daewoo Matiz. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Daewoo Matiz MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Daewoo Matiz to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

69.7%
2005
68.6%
2004
68.2%
2003
67.1%
2002
66.8%
2001
64%
2000
63.4%
1999
61.9%
1998

Daewoo Matiz Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Daewoo Matiz fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 62,507
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 41,166
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 27,842
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 27,606
Stop lamp not working 22,245
constant velocity joint gaiter split 21,775
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 21,283
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 19,910
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 19,336
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 19,322

Daewoo Matiz Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Daewoo Matiz owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,129 mi/yr
Typical
3,889 mi/yr
Average
4,688 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,278 mi/yr

Daewoo Matiz MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Daewoo Matiz year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 8,431 69.7% 24,949 39,913 58,241
2004 94,698 68.6% 26,127 41,055 59,038
2003 73,212 68.2% 25,986 40,064 56,829
2002 110,568 67.1% 29,731 43,571 59,837
2001 123,665 66.8% 33,100 47,393 63,689
2000 176,930 64.0% 37,604 51,235 66,592
1999 111,769 63.4% 39,738 53,325 68,375
1998 24,635 61.9% 42,672 56,627 72,236

How Long Does a Daewoo Matiz Last?

Based on 61,622 Daewoo Matiz vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.7 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Daewoo Matiz Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Daewoo Matiz MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
47,634 mi
75th Percentile
63,949 mi
95th Percentile
90,009 mi
Max Recorded
998,820 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Daewoo Matiz

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2005

69.7% MOT pass rate from 8,431 tests

Year to avoid
1998

61.9% MOT pass rate from 24,635 tests

The best year to buy a used Daewoo Matiz is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.7% across 8,431 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Daewoo Matiz Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Daewoo Matiz THIS CAR 65.9% 724,041 47,634 mi 28 yrs
Daewoo Lanos 67.4% 343,953 59,771 mi 29 yrs
Daewoo Kalos 69.7% 139,896 49,806 mi 23 yrs
Daewoo Nubira 64.4% 130,499 61,516 mi 29 yrs
Volkswagen Caravelle 71.2% 422,168 107,704 mi 43 yrs

Compared to the Daewoo Lanos (67.4% pass rate) and the Daewoo Kalos (69.7% pass rate), the Daewoo Matiz trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Daewoo Matiz?

The Daewoo Matiz has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.9% across 724,041 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Daewoo Matiz are brake pipe excessively corroded (62,507 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (41,166), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (27,842). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Daewoo Matiz owner drives around 3,889 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Daewoo Matiz models stay on UK roads for around 28 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Daewoo Matiz — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Daewoo Matiz reliable?
Based on 724,041 MOT tests, the Daewoo Matiz has a 65.9% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Daewoo Matiz?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Daewoo Matiz do per year?
The typical Daewoo Matiz does around 3,889 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Daewoo Matiz last?
Most Daewoo Matiz models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 61,622 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Daewoo Matiz?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Daewoo Matiz?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Daewoo Matiz is 2005 with a 69.7% pass rate across 8,431 tests.