Chevrolet Matiz MOT Failures
An analysis of 304,159 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chevrolet Matiz — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: M200 (2004–2010).
Where the Chevrolet Matiz fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chevrolet Matiz is wheel bearings worn — this model is 50 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 304,159 MOT tests, 0.2% of all Chevrolet Matiz tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (250x the fleet average), power steering fault (100x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (54x the fleet average), and headlight fault (14x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chevrolet Matiz's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Chevrolet Matiz before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Chevrolet Matiz's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Chevrolet Matiz specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (250x the average) and coil springs broken (70x). brake pipes corroded (66x) and braking effort not recording at a wheel (57x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Chevrolet Matiz specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (64x the average) and sharp bodywork damage (29x). fuel system leaking or a risk of fire (24x) and service brake pedal has insufficient reserve tr... (23x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Chevrolet Matiz specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are wheel bearings worn (15x the average) and abs fault (13x). suspension pin, bush or joint worn (9.3x) and seat mounting fault (8.4x) also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to wheel bearings worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
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Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Chevrolet Matiz specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component wear and corrosion (M200) Major
The Matiz suffers from extremely premature suspension component failure, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 54 times the national average. Affects M200; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
Power steering system failure (M200) Major
The Matiz power steering system exhibits catastrophic failure rates, with MOT data showing failures up to 92 times the national fleet average. Affects M200; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Brake system defects (M200) Major
The Matiz brake system suffers from multiple documented defects including insufficient pedal travel, brake grabbing, and uneven braking effort. Affects M200; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£500.
ABS system component failure (M200) Major
The ABS pump, wheel speed sensors, and control modules are prone to failure, leading to complete loss of ABS function. Affects M200; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chevrolet Matiz common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chevrolet Matiz
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chevrolet Matiz:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Brakes — check for abs fault, service brake pedal has insufficient reserve tr..., brakes imbalance across an axle. Steering — check for power steering fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component wear and corrosion and power steering system failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Chevrolet Matiz MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chevrolet Matiz?
Based on 304,159 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 50x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and power steering fault.
Is the Chevrolet Matiz reliable based on MOT data?
The Chevrolet Matiz has 22 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component wear and corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Chevrolet Matiz most commonly fails on wheel bearings worn and abs fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault and coil springs broken.
How do I check a Chevrolet Matiz's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.