Ultra-cheap city car for budget-conscious first-time buyers
Originally a Daewoo design rebadged as Chevrolet from 2005, the Matiz was one of the UK's cheapest new cars. The post-April 2005 model was a significant improvement over the Daewoo original. Now a sub-£1,000 used car, it serves as rock-bottom transport for students and city commuters. The 1.0-litre SE is the one to have — the 800cc base engine is painfully slow. Insurance groups 1-3 and minimal road tax make it one of the cheapest cars to run in the UK.
We track 5 known issues across the Chevrolet Matiz range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Chevrolet Matiz? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
M200 (2004–2010) — Engine options included the 0.8 three-cylinder, 1.0 three-cylinder. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Suspension component wear and corrosion (£200–£800 to address).
The 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.
Worn suspension components compromise vehicle stability and handling safety. In severe cases, components may detach completely, causing loss of control. Repair typically involves replacing multiple components simultaneously due to the interconnected nature of suspension wear. Total costs can approach £800-1200 for comprehensive suspension renewal.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 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.
Complete power steering failure makes parking and low-speed maneuvering extremely difficult and potentially dangerous in emergency situations. The hydraulic system typically fails progressively, starting with leaks that lead to pump damage if not addressed. Replacement of the entire power steering system including pump, rack, and hoses can cost £600-900.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The 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.
Brake system defects directly compromise safety and vehicle control. Seized calipers can cause loss of directional stability under braking. Insufficient pedal travel reserve means the brakes may not provide adequate stopping power in emergency situations. Complete brake system overhaul typically costs £400-800 depending on component condition.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The 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.
ABS failure removes anti-lock protection during emergency braking, increasing stopping distances on wet or slippery surfaces and raising the risk of skidding. The car remains legal to drive without functioning ABS but safety is compromised. ABS pump replacement typically costs £400-700 while sensor replacement is £80-150 per corner.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The 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.
High oil consumption requires regular monitoring and top-ups to prevent engine damage. If oil levels drop too low, the small capacity system can lead to oil starvation and bearing damage. Budget £30-50 annually for additional oil purchases beyond regular services. Severe oil burning may indicate worn piston rings requiring engine rebuild.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chevrolet Matiz common problems page.
Based on 75k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chevrolet Matiz fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 250x the fleet average, followed by power steering fault (100x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chevrolet Matiz MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £45–£75 at an independent garage.
See the full Chevrolet Matiz service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chevrolet Matiz is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2007-2009 post-facelift models with the 1.0-litre engine in SE or SX trim are the best choice — they benefit from refinements over the initial 2005 rebadge, and the 1.0 has adequate power unlike the gutless 800cc. Avoid pre-April 2005 Daewoo-era cars entirely. All Matiz models are now 15+ years old, so condition and service history matter far more than specific year.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Chevrolet Matiz, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Chevrolet Matiz issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.