Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Hyundai Matrix?

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 2004 Hyundai Matrix?

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 2004 Hyundai Matrix?

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 2004 Hyundai Matrix vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% 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 2004 Hyundai Matrix reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,686 vehicles, the 2004 Hyundai Matrix has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Hyundai Matrix?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Hyundai Matrix are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (76.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (73.3% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (68.3% 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 2004 Hyundai Matrix?

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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Hyundai Matrix (2004)

3,686 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.7% first-time pass rate

2004 Hyundai Matrix

CarHunch analysed 3,686 real MOT records for the 2004 Hyundai Matrix. 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 2004 Hyundai Matrix has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.7%, which sits notably below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 40% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for used buyers. Both petrol and diesel variants perform equally poorly at around 73%, so fuel type offers no reliability advantage here.

These cars are averaging around 60,000 miles for their age, which is reasonable, but they're racking up an average of 4.25 failures and 18.8 advisories per test, indicating persistent wear and deterioration across multiple systems. If you're considering a 2004 Matrix, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, braking, and exhaust components—these failure rates suggest they're the weak points by this age.

The 2004 Hyundai Matrix has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.7% 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

73.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

39.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.25

Over 15.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

58k

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 18.8 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 3,686 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 3,686 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 76.7%

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

Brake wear 40.6%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Other issues 23.1%

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Wipers & washers 20.6%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Lighting 19.3%

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,686 Hyundai Matrix cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Hyundai Matrix

Based on MOT data from 3,686 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.5% 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 (88%)	3,258	73.7%	4.32
Diesel (12%)	426	73.4%	3.69

Colour Breakdown

Based on 19,625 Hyundai Matrix vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 52.6%

10,317

Blue 19.4%

3,802

Red 13.1%

2,565

Black 10.7%

2,096

Grey 2.1%

419

Green 1.7%

326

White 0.4%

Turquoise 0.1%

Maroon 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Hyundai Matrix 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.

58,201

typical

44,919

low mileage

71,602

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Hyundai Matrix vehicles fall between 44,919 and 71,602 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 44,919 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.

✓ 44,919–71,602 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Hyundai Matrixs sit.

⚠ Over 96,662 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Hyundai Matrix — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 2004 Hyundai Matrixs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 281 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.25

Avg failures per vehicle

18.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Hyundai Matrix: All Matrix years → Which year to buy? →

2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

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See how the 2004 Hyundai Matrix stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on