Used car guide

2010 Chevrolet Matiz: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Chevrolet Matizs, from 697 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

697MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
3,400typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Chevrolet Matizs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.4× usual
    Chevrolet Matiz
    23% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Wheel bearings7.6× usual
    Chevrolet Matiz
    15.1% All 2010 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.8% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes10.7× usual
    Chevrolet Matiz
    8.6% All 2010 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Chevrolet Matiz
    13.5% All 2010 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Chevrolet Matiz
    14.1% All 2010 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 3.6% here, against 9% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Chevrolet Matiz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Chevrolet Matiz?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20092,870Suspension 47%
20081,716Suspension 50%
20071,564Suspension 49%
2006917Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Chevrolet Matizs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score