Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Daewoo Matiz?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Daewoo Matiz?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Daewoo Matiz?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Daewoo Matiz vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Daewoo Matiz reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,764 vehicles, the 1998 Daewoo Matiz has a first-time MOT pass rate of 63.9%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Daewoo Matiz?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Daewoo Matiz are: Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (53.9% of vehicles), Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (49.6% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (47.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Daewoo Matiz?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Daewoo Matiz (1998)

2,764 real MOT outcomes analysed • 63.9% first-time pass rate

1998 Daewoo Matiz

CarHunch analysed 2,764 real MOT records for the 1998 Daewoo Matiz. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Daewoo Matiz is a notably unreliable prospect, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 63.9%—well below the UK average of 80%—and a concerning 24.3% of vehicles having experienced dangerous defects at some point. This combination suggests serious structural or safety issues that go beyond routine wear.

At an average mileage of 60,260 miles for a 26-year-old car, these Matizs are relatively lightly used, yet they still accumulate an average of 3.4 failures and 10.1 advisories per test, pointing to fundamental durability problems rather than high-mileage fatigue. If you're considering one, budget heavily for repairs before purchase and have a pre-buy inspection by a trusted mechanic who can specifically assess the chassis, brakes, and suspension for corrosion or structural weakness.

The 1998 Daewoo Matiz has a below-average first-time pass rate (63.9% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

63.9%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

24.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.4

Over 8.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

59k

Middle half: 45k–72k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 10.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,764 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,764 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 53.9%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive · Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Brake wear 49.6%

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 40.2%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 35.7%

Oil leak

Suspension & steering 26.5%

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Wipers & washers 25.8%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,764 Daewoo Matiz cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Daewoo Matiz

Based on MOT data from 2,764 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	2,761	63.9%	3.4

Colour Breakdown

Based on 61,594 Daewoo Matiz vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 29.5%

18,183

Blue 17%

10,487

Green 16.6%

10,255

Orange 15.5%

9,538

Red 12.4%

7,667

Yellow 6.7%

4,111

Black 0.8%

475

Gold 0.7%

402

Bronze 0.6%

389

Brown 0.1%

Grey 0%

Purple 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Daewoo Matiz vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

58,607

typical

45,448

low mileage

71,702

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Daewoo Matiz vehicles fall between 45,448 and 71,702 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 45,448 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 45,448–71,702 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Daewoo Matizs sit.

⚠ Over 96,797 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Daewoo Matiz — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 7% of 1998 Daewoo Matizs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 32 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 (7% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

8.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.4

Avg failures per vehicle

10.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Daewoo Matiz: All Matiz years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Daewoo →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Daewoo Matiz stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on