Used car guide

2004 Daewoo Matiz: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Daewoo Matizs, from 247 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 247 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

247MOT tests in 2025
44%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
2,600typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Daewoo Matizs than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Wheel bearings4.9× usual
    Daewoo Matiz
    18.6% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.3% of all 2004 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side7.7× usual
    Daewoo Matiz
    13.8% All 2004 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, against 1.2% of all 2004 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.8× usual
    Daewoo Matiz
    18.2% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Engine warning light4.1× usual
    Daewoo Matiz
    12.6% All 2004 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 3.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2004 Daewoo Matiz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    55% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    17% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003125Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Daewoo Matizs registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score