The picture
Matiz: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,693 MOT tests, the Matiz returns 59.5% first-time pass — near the bottom of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A defective headlamp lens and headlamp aim out of spec round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 55,118, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
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
208 occurrences · 12.3% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
189 occurrences · 11.2% of tests
- 03
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
110 occurrences · 6.5% of tests
- 04
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.
105 occurrences · 6.2% of tests
- 05
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
86 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 06
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
82 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 07
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
78 occurrences · 4.6% of tests
- 08
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
77 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 09
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
71 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
67 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£20–£160
If every one of this Matiz's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Matiz?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Matiz and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.