2000 Daewoo Matiz Base model 700cc

Summary:

Ann excellent small car, but get the early version

Faults:

The handbrake light has been on for the last 5000 miles...n. but the only fault is the switch. I will live with this rather than get it replaced. Just replaced the original battery after 6 years is good.

General Comments:

Bought to replace a 16 year old nova that had terminal body rust the brief was for a replacement small 5 door car for an aged parent. The shortlist was Corsa, Saxo, and Ka. As Top Gears best buy small car it trounced the oposition after test drives... on price, 5 doors, seating position (high up good for a shortie) throaty 3 cylinder engine and light controls. Main fault with the car is a rough ride, but you get use to this.. try a Punto- they are just as bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th March, 2006

2000 Daewoo Matiz SE 0.8

Summary:

Never again!!!

Faults:

Has anyone had the misfortune to need a new battery for their Matiz. If so, what was the cost? I've been told that they can only be obtained through a Daewoo dealer and the cost is "approximately" £140. This is for a Matiz, not a Ferrari!! A drop test will be another £37!!

General Comments:

If you buy a Matiz, get rid of it before the warranty expires. If you keep it after that time, that's when your expensive problems will start.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st December, 2005

22nd Jan 2006, 13:59

I'm not quite sure where the quote came from, but I bought a new battery for my Matiz 2 years ago for £33 two years ago, the first one lasted fours years and was beginning to give problems. I just went into the Local Car part dealer (in this case Moto-Serv and bought one.

11th May 2007, 15:04

My Matiz has been a nightmare

Bought V reg for £1400 with 31000 miles on the clock on the way home windscreen cracked had to replace it £140

After about 1 month radiator hose came off lost all coolant

Came off again 3 weeks later turned out to be head gasket causing cooling system to pressurise

Cost me £250 for new head gasket

Go car back last week the suddenly developed loss of power fault when driving back to garage replaced HT leads

Week later engine started smoking vey bad. Piston rings cracked

Scrapping car!

This is on a V reg with only 30000 miles just bought a VW Polo will never buy another Matiz - looks good, but engine is rubbish.

In reply to 11th May 2007, 15:04

12th Oct 2011, 22:16

Looks like you need to find a different mechanic. When your hose blew the first time, your mechanic was supposed to find out that your head gasket is blown. All of the "problems" after that - second blown hose, rings... are nothing but misdiagnosing a bad head gasket when first checked.

Don't blame the car, try to find a better mechanic... Just my two cents...

2000 Daewoo Matiz SE 0.8

Summary:

Wasn't aware that car shouldn't be driven in bright sunlight!

Faults:

Both panels under the headlights have faded. Material for these is different to the rest of the car. Anyone else had this problem?

General Comments:

Manufacturers say that this is because the car has been used in the sun!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st March, 2005

3rd May 2005, 20:53

Well I just wanted to ask what type of detergent you use on the car to wash it? The detergent could eat away the paint causing it to fade under hot weather.

8th Jun 2005, 07:31

I've already checked this out with the dealership and they agreed that the turtle wax wash I use would not cause the problem.

23rd May 2009, 14:02

Well even my headlamps plastic have faded. This is a big issue cause the Matiz design offers great aerodynamics, so when your car runs at high speed, the air rough passes through the front part of your car. That's why the head lamps gets faded, but overall I must say it's a complete masterpiece.

In reply to 23rd May 2009, 14:02

30th Aug 2015, 20:31

My 1999 Matiz also developed dulled headlight lenses as the plastic covers appear to be made of a rather soft plastic. Found that using a polishing cream (a light type of rubbing compound) on the plastic, restores the lens to its original clear state. Just repeat the process every couple of years.

The car is now 16 years old and nearly 200,000km on the clock. Must admit it did blow a head gasket at half that distance, but it is very economical so I will hang on to it for a few more years.