Hyundai Matrix (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 860 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1599cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 14 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Hyundai Matrix

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1599cc18 years old860 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1599cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Hyundai brand average of 83%.

68% of MOT tests on Hyundai Matrixs from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 860 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,049 miles.

Got a Hyundai Matrix you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models490th of 566(bottom 14%)

Rank among Hyundai models372nd of 414(bottom 11%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average-5%(73% avg)

vs Hyundai average-15%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,049

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Hyundai Matrix had 79,049 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Hyundai Matrix?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 64%. The 2008 scores 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Hyundai Matrix by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	70%	290	81,091 mi
2009	72%	593	80,570 mi
2008	68%	860	79,049 mi
2007	66%	1,123	83,907 mi
2006	69%	1,407	82,630 mi
2005	65%	1,253	83,632 mi
2004	75%	991	84,127 mi
2003	67%	332	81,262 mi
2002	64%	164	77,002 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+4%

Ford Focus

2009 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

74%

+6%

Vauxhall Corsa

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

+6%

Nissan Qashqai

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,428/year

67%

-1%

Check a Specific Hyundai Matrix

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2008 Hyundai Matrix

The 2008 Hyundai Matrix is a small family car. Our records list a 1599cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 860 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 14% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 79,049 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Hyundai Matrix owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 Hyundai Matrix Fuel Costs

The 1599cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2008 Hyundai Matrix?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Hyundai Matrix Reliability Trend

The Hyundai Matrix has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2008 Hyundai Matrix

At 18 years old, the Hyundai Matrix is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 75%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2008 Hyundai Matrix stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Hyundai Matrix(2008)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275
Ford Focus(2009)	74%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275
Nissan Qashqai(2010)	67%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2008 Hyundai Matrix

Is the 2008 Hyundai Matrix reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 2008 Hyundai Matrixs ended in a pass, from 860 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Hyundai Matrix cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Hyundai Matrix?

68% of 860 MOT tests on the 2008 Hyundai Matrix ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 490th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 14%).

Which year Hyundai Matrix has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 Hyundai Matrix has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2002 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Hyundai Matrix?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Hyundai Matrix is 79,049 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.