2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3× usual
  Hyundai Matrix

  21.8% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Hyundai Matrix

  14.2% All 2004 cars

  5.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Hyundai Matrix

  12.4% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Power steering pipes and hoses4× usual
  Hyundai Matrix

  3.6% All 2004 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2004 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.

• Airbag warning light2.1× usual
  Hyundai Matrix

  3.6% All 2004 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% 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.

Common 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  47% 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
  45% 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
  35% 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
  34% 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
  22% 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
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Hyundai Matrix petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?