Family hatchback · 2001–2016 cars
Hyundai Matrix reliability
The Hyundai Matrix fails 46.8% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 14,303 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Hyundai Matrix before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 46.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 19% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 14,303
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Hyundai Matrix ages
Each point is the share of Hyundai Matrixs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Hyundai Matrix | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 40% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 46.3% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 49.3% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 48.6% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 41.6% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 47.5% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 52% | 41.4% |
By year
The best and worst Hyundai Matrix years
2004 cars come out best and 2007 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 582 | 40.5% | 15% more fails | 72,590 |
| 2009 Matrix | 1,154 | 42.5% | 16% more fails | 70,723 |
| 2008 Matrix | 1,697 | 45.8% | 21% more fails | 73,164 |
| 2007 Matrix | 2,382 | 49.5% | 25% more fails | 77,947 |
| 2006 Matrix | 2,869 | 47.9% | 20% more fails | 77,353 |
| 2005 Matrix | 2,593 | 49.8% | 23% more fails | 78,361 |
| 2004 Matrix | 1,823 | 42.5% | 5% more fails | 75,802 |
| 2003 | 776 | 48.8% | 22% more fails | 77,353 |
| 2002 | 367 | 46.9% | 18% more fails | 77,963 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Hyundai Matrix
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 232% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension16.6%15% above avg
- Lights and electrics16.5%10% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure14.7%115% above avg
- Brakes13.2%26% above avg
- Tyres9.1%43% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9%33% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags6.5%232% above avg
- Steering5%71% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%14% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 9.18% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 4.19% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.12% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.94% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 5
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.93% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.91% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.29% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened 3.15% of tests
A seriously weakened sub-frame can fail and affect steering and suspension, so it needs urgent repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai Matrix's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy19.21%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.81%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.89%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion7.27%
- Number plate lettering deteriorating6.82%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak5.96%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Hyundai Matrix
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Airbag warning lamp shows fault
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 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
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 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 Hyundai Matrix covers about 5,400 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
- Petrol92.6%
- Diesel7.3%
- LPG0.1%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Red, Grey
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Hyundai Matrix compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-Z | 22% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Infiniti Q30 | 14.9% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen e-Golf | 12.4% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Primera | 44.3% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 306 | 43.7% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Matrix | 46.8% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS4 | 29.4% | 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Hyundai models.
Questions
Hyundai Matrix questions, answered
Is the Hyundai Matrix reliable?
On MOT results, the Hyundai Matrix is below average: it fails 46.8% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 52 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Hyundai Matrix MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai Matrix are cv joint boot split or insecure (9.18% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (4.19% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.12% of tests). By area, suspension fails 16.6% of its tests.
Which Hyundai Matrix year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (5% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2007 cars do worst (25% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Hyundai Matrix do a year?
A typical Hyundai Matrix covers about 5,400 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 Hyundai Matrix 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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