Does the Hyundai Matrix fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Hyundai Matrix records 6.77 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.39 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+1.38, 95% interval +1.10 to +1.65). It ranks 142 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Hyundai Matrix by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Hyundai Matrix is “A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play”, recorded 1,107 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 1,107 | 3.20 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 518 | 1.50 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 293 | 0.85 |
| Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | 186 | 0.54 |
| A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 116 | 0.34 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 34,615 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Hyundai Matrix gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
12.5% of Hyundai Matrix MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,009 miles later (1,510 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,510 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Hyundai Matrix 2002 · Hyundai Matrix 2003 · Hyundai Matrix 2004 · Hyundai Matrix 2005 · Hyundai Matrix 2006 · Hyundai Matrix 2007 · Hyundai Matrix 2008 · Hyundai Matrix 2009 · Hyundai Matrix 2010 · Hyundai Matrix in the Netherlands · Hyundai Matrix by postcode area · Hyundai Matrix body, chassis and structure failures · Hyundai Matrix brakes failures · Hyundai Matrix vehicle identification failures · Hyundai Matrix lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Hyundai Matrix noise, emissions and leaks failures · Hyundai Matrix road wheels failures · Hyundai Matrix seat belts and airbags failures · Hyundai Matrix suspension failures · Hyundai Matrix tyres failures · Hyundai Matrix visibility failures