City car · 2004–2014 cars
Chevrolet Matiz reliability
The Chevrolet Matiz fails 49.4% of first MOT tests, 50% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 40,293 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chevrolet Matiz before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 49.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 50% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 40,293
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chevrolet Matiz ages
Each point is the share of Chevrolet Matizs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chevrolet Matiz | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 46.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.6% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 46.2% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 48.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 49.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 52.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 55% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 54.7% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 48.3% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Chevrolet Matiz years
2008 cars come out best and 2010 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Matiz | 3,249 | 48% | 58% more fails | 50,562 |
| 2009 Matiz | 13,040 | 46.3% | 48% more fails | 49,946 |
| 2008 Matiz | 8,487 | 49.5% | 47% more fails | 55,143 |
| 2007 Matiz | 8,159 | 51% | 48% more fails | 55,016 |
| 2006 Matiz | 4,872 | 54.1% | 55% more fails | 54,580 |
| 2005 Matiz | 2,478 | 53.2% | 49% more fails | 55,182 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Chevrolet Matiz
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 143% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.3%61% above avg
- Suspension20.8%84% above avg
- Brakes18%132% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.5%66% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.4%109% above avg
- Tyres9.3%70% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.1%96% above avg
- Steering3.5%82% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.8%143% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.86% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Position lamp not working 5.3% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 5.06% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 4.07% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Stop lamp not working 3.69% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 6
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.64% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 7
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.5% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.46% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chevrolet Matiz's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.27%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy17.06%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.75%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive9.04%
- Wheel bearing slight play7.57%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.14%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chevrolet Matiz
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Chevrolet Matiz covers about 4,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
- Diesel0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Red, Orange
Average engine size: 0.9 litres.
Compare
How the Chevrolet Matiz compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota iQ | 23% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | 18.1% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Mii | 21.4% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pixo | 34.5% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C2 | 47.7% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Spark | 44.8% | 46% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 49.4% | 50% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Chevrolet models.
Questions
Chevrolet Matiz questions, answered
Is the Chevrolet Matiz reliable?
On MOT results, the Chevrolet Matiz is well below average: it fails 49.4% of first MOT tests, 50% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 43 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Chevrolet Matiz MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Matiz are suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.86% of tests), position lamp not working (5.3% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (5.06% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 22.3% of its tests.
Which Chevrolet Matiz year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (47% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2010 cars do worst (58% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Chevrolet Matiz do a year?
A typical Chevrolet Matiz covers about 4,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Chevrolet Matiz before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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