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Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark) (2009-2011) reliability

Not enough data

Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark) built around 2011: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark) models built around 2011 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2009-2011HatchbackPETROL

Based on 5,034 tests of Matiz models registered 2009-2011.

M300 (Spark) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
14732.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,80135.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,08632.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 15 years old.

How the Matiz M300 (Spark) compares

At each age below, see how the Matiz M300 (Spark) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 9,445 tests across 7 Chevrolet models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateChevrolet average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
14732.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,80135.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,08632.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Matiz M300 (Spark).

  1. 1

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    4.1%

    Lower fail rate: 20.6%, against 32.0% for the Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark), both built around 2011.

    3,673 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Honda Insight

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 25.7%, against 32.0% for the Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark), both built around 2011.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,777 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Hyundai i10

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 27.2%, against 32.0% for the Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark), both built around 2011.

    21,068 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Nissan Micra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 28.9%, against 32.0% for the Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark), both built around 2011.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,957 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Chevrolet Matiz name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

How Matiz M300 (Spark) cars have aged

How Matiz M300 (Spark) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%111213141516Age at MOTBuilt around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (1,339 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (1,257 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (1,144 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (998 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (850 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (3,856 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (3,307 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (2,902 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (2,509 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (2,086 tests, 2025 data)2009
First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Chevrolet Matizes of this age

This list covers every Chevrolet Matiz built around 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the M300 (Spark) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    21.8%
    Advisory: 53Fail: 5 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    20.4%
    Advisory: 24Fail: 17 (41% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.1%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 7 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    15.0%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 9 (32% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.9%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 5 (21% of the times it was found)

Based on 147 tests

Looking at a Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Chevrolet Matiz M300 (Spark) (2009-2011) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 147 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 5,034 MOT tests on Chevrolet Matizes first registered between 2009-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.