Chevrolet Matiz car check
Find out if a Matiz has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.
- MOT failure rate
- 28.5%120k tests
- Known problems
- 5across M200
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which Matiz are you looking at?
Each Matiz generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.
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Suspension component wear and corrosion
Wear item M200The Matiz suffers from extremely premature suspension component failure, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 54 times the national average. Suspension bushes, joints, and pins wear rapidly due to lightweight construction and cost-cutting in component specification. Corrosion compounds the problem, particularly on rear beam mounting points. This affects roadworthiness and safety, with some components becoming liable to detachment.
What to check: Walk around the car and look for obvious corrosion on the rear beam (the solid axle that connects both rear wheels). Check for rust scaling or obvious damage to the mounting points where it connects to the body. Push down firmly on each corner of the car and release - the car should settle quickl...
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Power steering system failure
Wear item M200The Matiz power steering system exhibits catastrophic failure rates, with MOT data showing failures up to 92 times the national fleet average. The hydraulic power steering pump and associated components fail prematurely, leading to fluid leaks and complete loss of power assistance. This is particularly problematic given the car's urban-focused market where parking maneuvers without power steering become extremely difficult.
What to check: Check the power steering fluid reservoir (located near the brake master cylinder) - the fluid should be clear pink or red, not black or contaminated with metal particles. Low fluid level indicates a leak somewhere in the system. Look under the front of the car for obvious pink/red fluid stains on...
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Brake system defects
Safety and MOT risk M200The Matiz brake system suffers from multiple documented defects including insufficient pedal travel, brake grabbing, and uneven braking effort. MOT data shows failure rates up to 61 times the national average for pedal travel issues. The brake calipers are prone to seizure and uneven operation, while the overall system design provides insufficient reserve travel in normal operation, failing MOT brake tests at unusually high rates.
What to check: Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir (located near the power steering reservoir) - fluid should be clear and above the minimum mark. Dark or contaminated fluid indicates system neglect. Look at all four wheels for obvious brake fluid stains on the inside of the wheel rim o...
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ABS system component failure
Safety and MOT risk M200The ABS pump, wheel speed sensors, and control modules are prone to failure, leading to complete loss of ABS function. This is particularly concerning given the car's tendency toward brake system problems generally, as ABS failure removes an important safety backup in emergency braking situations.
What to check: Turn the ignition to position 2 (without starting) and check that the ABS warning light illuminates on the dashboard. When the engine starts, this light should extinguish within a few seconds. If it remains lit or flashes, the ABS system has detected a fault. Look for any obvious physical damage ...
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Engine oil consumption
Engine damage risk M200The small three-cylinder engines in the Matiz are prone to higher than normal oil consumption, particularly the 1.0-liter variant. This is attributed to the high cylinder pressures relative to engine size and cost-effective piston ring specifications. While not catastrophic, owners frequently report needing to top up oil between services, and neglecting oil levels can lead to engine damage due to the small sump capacity.
What to check: Check the engine oil level using the dipstick - remove it completely, wipe clean with a rag, reinsert fully, then check the level. On a three-cylinder engine, oil level variations are more critical due to small sump capacity. Look for blue smoke staining around the exhaust tailpipe, which indicat...
We haven’t flagged any common problems for this generation in our data yet. A history check still tells you about finance, write-offs and theft, and the MOT history shows how this particular car has been looked after.
Matiz MOT results
of Matiz MOT tests end in a fail, from 119,643 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- ABS faultBrakes
- Power steering faultSteering
- Coil springs brokenBrakes
Check the Matiz you’re buying
One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.
What the check includes
- Outstanding finance Experian
- Write-off status Experian
- Stolen vehicle check Experian
- Previous owners and keeper history Experian
- MOT history and advisories DVSA
- Mileage check DVSA
- Known problems for its generation GetCarWise
- How many are left on the road DVLA
Matiz questions
Is the Chevrolet Matiz reliable?
28.5% of Matiz models fail their MOT based on 119,643 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being suspension component wear and corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.
What are the main problems with a Chevrolet Matiz?
The most serious known issues are suspension component wear and corrosion, power steering system failure, brake system defects. Our car check flags whether a specific Matiz has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Chevrolet Matiz has outstanding finance?
Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.
How do I check if a Chevrolet Matiz has been written off?
Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Matiz has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.
Can I check a Chevrolet Matiz for free?
You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.
Is a Chevrolet Matiz HPI check worth it?
HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Matiz faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.
What does a Chevrolet Matiz fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the Matiz is abs fault. 28.5% of Matiz models fail overall, based on 119,643 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the Matiz
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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.