2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 51.0% of Chevrolet Matiz cars first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. Across 6,379 Matiz first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Chevrolet Matiz cars first used in 2008 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
51.0%
of 1,704 first tests; all cars first used in 2008: 57.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
6,379
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,704 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
16.0%
of 1,704 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
56,000
middle half: 41,000–72,000 miles; all cars first used in 2008: 105,500

How the 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Matiz cars first used in 2008 against all cars first used in 2008 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Matiz figure was 6.2 points lower.

2008 MatizAll cars first used in 2008
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2008, test year 2021: 58%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2022: 57.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2023: 57.4%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2024: 56.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2025: 57.2%2008 Matiz, test year 2021: 53.6%2008 Matiz, test year 2022: 51.3%2008 Matiz, test year 2023: 52.2%2008 Matiz, test year 2024: 50.3%2008 Matiz, test year 2025: 51%57.2%51%
View this chart as a table
Test year2008 MatizAll cars first used 2008Matiz first tests
202153.6%58.0%3,406
202251.3%57.9%2,933
202352.2%57.4%2,534
202450.3%56.9%2,141
202551.0%57.2%1,704

Common 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT failures

Share of the 3,111 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment47.0%
Suspension42.5%
Brakes37.6%
Tyres18.4%
Visibility18.1%
Body, chassis, structure17.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks13.3%
Steering6.6%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Ball joint: excessively worn14.9%463
Position lamp: not working13.1%407
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively10.7%334
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm9.6%298
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect9.6%298

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Matiz in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Ball joint: excessively wornBall joint replacement£90£60–£150

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2008 Chevrolet Matiz before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2008 Matiz cars, as a share of all 6,379 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material21.7%1,382
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.6%1,189
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.8%752
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive11.7%749
Wheel bearings: has slight play8.7%556

Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2008 Chevrolet Matiz?

In 2025, 51.0% of Matiz cars first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2008 Matiz most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 47.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (42.5%) and brakes (37.6%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (14.9%).

How often does a 2008 Chevrolet Matiz fail its MOT?

In 2025, 49.0% of first tests on Matiz cars first used in 2008 did not pass first time: 40.9% failed, and a further 8.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,111 of 6,379 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 21.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (18.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.8%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.7%) and “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (8.7%).

Is a 2008 Chevrolet Matiz reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 53.6% in 2021 to 51.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2008

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2008 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2008 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2008 Chevrolet Matiz MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2008 Matiz” means a Chevrolet Matiz whose date of first use falls in 2008 (57, 08 and 58 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2008, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.