Used car guide

2009 Hyundai Matrix: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Hyundai Matrixs, from 269 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 269 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

269MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,500typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Hyundai Matrixs than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual
    Hyundai Matrix
    26.4% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.9× usual
    Hyundai Matrix
    20.8% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Hyundai Matrix
    17.5% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 3.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2009 Hyundai Matrix MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    42% 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.

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    21% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% 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 Hyundai Matrix?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010146Suspension 45%
2008372Suspension 44%
2007497Suspension 49%
2006575Suspension 49%
2005472Suspension 51%
2004291Suspension 52%
2003129Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Hyundai Matrixs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score