Daewoo Matiz

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 2004 1.0 petrol. 205 of 574 tests failed, 36%.

Better than 2% of 2004 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 750 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
• Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
• Exhaust system leaking or insecure

Where it stands out against its peers

• Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 90% of 2004 cars — 33% of its 205 failed tests, where an ordinary 2004 car has 15%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Suspension — 44% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Brakes — 38% of its failures
• Exhaust and emissions — 33% of its failures
  • Exhaust system leaking or insecure
• Tyres and wheels — 21% of its failures
  • Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
• Lights and electrics — 42% of its failures
  • Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Body and structure — 28% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

When it starts failing

At 80–100k miles this one fails 43% of its inspections, against the 28% an ordinary car of the same age fails.

515 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.

Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.