Hyundai Matrix

Engines

Faults typical of this model

Faults by engine

1.1 / 1.5 / 1.6 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia U, 2005–2010)

1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 16v (Hyundai-Kia Beta)

1.3 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 (Hyundai-Kia Alpha)

Gearboxes

Manual

Automatic 4-speed

Scheduled service

Intervals and typical prices for the 1.1 / 1.5 / 1.6 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia U, 2005–2010) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.

Roadworthiness tests by mileage

Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 3,464 tests.

Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age

Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 4,978 cars.

Most common engine versions in the EU

New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 1,702, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.

Common questions

Does the Hyundai Matrix have a timing chain or a timing belt?

1.1 / 1.5 / 1.6 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia U, 2005–2010): chain; 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 16v (Hyundai-Kia Beta): belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo; 1.3 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 (Hyundai-Kia Alpha): belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo.

What are the known problems with the Hyundai Matrix?

The faults with the highest risk: solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); injector copper washers leaking (100,000–200,000 km, €150–600); timing belt / tensioner (60,000–90,000 km, €250–500); timing belt tensioner (early failures) (60,000–90,000 km, €200–400). The full list by engine is on this page.

What does the Hyundai Matrix most often fail its roadworthiness test on?

In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.2 %), suspension (17.3 %), body and corrosion (15.7 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, steering, tyres and wheels, body and corrosion.

What should you check when buying a used Hyundai Matrix?

Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning; 'Chuffing' noise, soot around injectors. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.

Models with the same engines

These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.

Kia Cee'd / ProCeed I 2006–2012Hyundai i30 (FD) 2007–2012Hyundai Getz 2002–2011Kia Cerato 2004–2013Kia Sportage II 2004–2010Kia Rio II 2005–2011Hyundai Tucson (JM) 2004–2010Kia Carens III 2006–2012

Other Hyundai models

Hyundai Sonata (NF) 2004–2010Hyundai Accent 2005–2011Hyundai Atos 1997–2008Hyundai Elantra 2006–2016Hyundai Santa Fe II 2006–2012Hyundai i10 I 2008–2013Hyundai i20 I 2008–2014Hyundai ix35 2009–2015Hyundai ix20 2010–2019

Sources and notes

Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.

Updated 08/10/2026