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Hyundai Matrix Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Hyundai Matrix car check

Is the Hyundai Matrix reliable? We analysed 303,058 real MOT tests across 19,663 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 303,058 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.9%
Typical Mileage
56,490mi
Annual Mileage
5,289mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Hyundai Matrix is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Hyundai Matrix.

Hyundai Matrix Number Plates

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

Hyundai Matrix MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

69%
2011
75.3%
2010
76.2%
2009
74.8%
2008
73.5%
2007
74.2%
2006
73.5%
2005
72.6%
2004
72%
2003
70.2%
2002
69.7%
2001

Hyundai Matrix Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,124
Brake pipe excessively corroded 11,749
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 7,166
position lamp(s) not working 5,875
Registration plate lamp not working 5,304
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 3,754
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 3,464
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,388
brake binding 3,143
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 2,862

Hyundai Matrix Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,066 mi/yr
Typical
5,289 mi/yr
Average
6,130 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,117 mi/yr

Hyundai Matrix MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 84 69.0% 29,615 47,314 68,418
2010 3,520 75.3% 29,193 48,294 70,783
2009 7,562 76.2% 29,239 48,066 71,111
2008 16,160 74.8% 32,391 51,554 75,535
2007 29,925 73.5% 33,988 54,693 78,753
2006 41,667 74.2% 33,917 54,238 77,669
2005 60,442 73.5% 35,560 55,423 78,284
2004 57,285 72.6% 36,987 57,312 80,713
2003 44,521 72.0% 37,783 57,374 79,909
2002 34,665 70.2% 42,932 62,357 83,685
2001 7,059 69.7% 47,498 65,736 86,836

How Long Does a Hyundai Matrix Last?

Based on 19,663 Hyundai Matrix vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.2 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Hyundai Matrix Mileage Distribution

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

Median
56,490 mi
75th Percentile
79,522 mi
95th Percentile
115,566 mi
Max Recorded
989,950 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Hyundai Matrix

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

Best year
2009

76.2% MOT pass rate from 7,562 tests

Year to avoid
2011

69.0% MOT pass rate from 84 tests

The best year to buy a used Hyundai Matrix is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.2% across 7,562 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Hyundai Matrix Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Hyundai Matrix THIS CAR 72.9% 303,058 56,490 mi 25 yrs
Hyundai I10 80.4% 2,829,935 35,978 mi 18 yrs
Hyundai I20 80.2% 1,488,641 45,118 mi 17 yrs
Hyundai I30 76.5% 1,479,391 57,858 mi 19 yrs
Suzuki Splash 78.1% 286,838 41,171 mi 18 yrs

Compared to the Hyundai I10 (80.4% pass rate) and the Hyundai I20 (80.2% pass rate), the Hyundai Matrix trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Hyundai Matrix?

The Hyundai Matrix has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.9% across 303,058 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Hyundai Matrix are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (15,124 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (11,749), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (7,166). 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 Hyundai Matrix owner drives around 5,289 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 Hyundai Matrix models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.

Hyundai Matrix — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hyundai Matrix reliable?
Based on 303,058 MOT tests, the Hyundai Matrix has a 72.9% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Hyundai Matrix?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Hyundai Matrix do per year?
The typical Hyundai Matrix does around 5,289 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Hyundai Matrix last?
Most Hyundai Matrix models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 19,663 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Hyundai Matrix?
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 Hyundai Matrix?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Hyundai Matrix is 2009 with a 76.2% pass rate across 7,562 tests.