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SP53 EFJ

2003 Hyundai Matrix

Silver Petrol 1795cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Aug 2026
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

81,968 mi
Last recorded81,968 miles
Recorded on8 Aug 2025
Typical for 2003 Hyundai Matrix57,374 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSP53 EFJ
MakeHyundai
ModelMatrix
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,795cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 8 Aug 2025 81,968 miles

Battery insecure.

Bodywork damaged.

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust flexi worn.

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Radiator mounts corroded.

Rear Wiper missing.

Pass 28 Aug 2024 81,301 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Aug 2024 81,292 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Aug 2024 81,288 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Service brake grabbing severely (1.2.1 (c))

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 31 Jul 2023 80,883 miles

Nearside Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

steering and suspension corroded

subframe corroded

under vehicle corroded

Pass 13 Jul 2022 80,183 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive underside floor to sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material cross axle (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive underside floor to sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

engine oil leak

Fail 13 Jul 2022 80,183 miles

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cross member (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive underside floor to sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material cross axle (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive underside floor to sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

engine oil leak

Pass 2 Aug 2021 79,379 miles

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

under vehicle corroded

Fail 26 Jul 2021 79,362 miles

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

under vehicle corroded

Pass 30 Jul 2020 78,616 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material underside front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and age cracks in tyre wall (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn bad on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn bad on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear body damage

Rear cross member corroded

engine oil leak

front support member to subframe corroded

Fail 30 Jul 2020 78,616 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear body damage

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material underside front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and age cracks in tyre wall (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn bad on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive drop sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn bad on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear cross member corroded

engine oil leak

front support member to subframe corroded

Pass 26 Jun 2019 63,153 miles
Fail 25 Jun 2019 63,152 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Emissions not tested due to exhaust (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Jul 2018 57,437 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 13 Jul 2018 57,437 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 11 Jul 2017 51,306 miles

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded Front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre side walls deteriorating

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded Front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 11 Jul 2017 51,306 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed Inner side wall cracked (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded Front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre side walls deteriorating

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded Front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 14 Jul 2016 44,698 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear x2 (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 13 Jul 2016 44,698 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases flexi (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear x2 (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 14 Jul 2015 38,518 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

exhaust corroded

Pass 28 Jul 2014 33,559 miles
Pass 27 Aug 2013 32,420 miles
Pass 13 Sep 2012 31,365 miles

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 13 Sep 2012 31,365 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 5 Oct 2011 30,461 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 1 Oct 2010 29,303 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 15 Oct 2009 26,451 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 14 Oct 2009 26,451 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 25 Sep 2008 19,587 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2008 19,587 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

rear wiper blade torn

Fail 25 Sep 2007 15,662 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 25 Sep 2007 15,662 miles
Pass 16 Oct 2006 12,965 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2006 12,965 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

How Reliable is the Hyundai Matrix?

Based on 303,058 MOT tests across 19,663 vehicles.

72.9%
Pass Rate
5,289
Miles/Year
25
Year Lifespan
19,663
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

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
Full Hyundai Matrix reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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SP53 EFJ is a 2003 Hyundai Matrix in Silver with a 1,795cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 2003 Hyundai Matrix models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.0% with a typical mileage of 57,374 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Hyundai Matrix fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 15,124 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SP53 EFJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Hyundai Matrix typically stays on UK roads for around 25 years. At 23 years old, this Hyundai Matrix is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SP53 EFJ?

You can check the full history of SP53 EFJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SP53 EFJ registered?

SP53 EFJ is a 2003 Hyundai Matrix, first registered on 19 September 2003.

Is SP53 EFJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for SP53 EFJ shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SP53 EFJ have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on SP53 EFJ. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.