1999 Daewoo Matiz from UK and Ireland - Comments

Head Gasket at 38,000, 45,000, 60,000, yada, yada, yada. Heater radiator blocked, radiator blocked, all round cooling system problems. Water pump at 88,000. Blew the inlet manifold up, you'll never guess, right, Overheating again. God knows what it would be like to own this car in a warm climate.

This is a fantastic car, except for the cooling system problems, which make the car unreliable and untrustworthy, don't buy one unless you are only traveling within 5 miles of where you live.

What you save on purchase price, the dealer will extract from your wallet with all the service costs surrounding the cooling system problems. Expect service bills up to €1000 euros a time.

I'm asking if you had such a bad-luck. I used two of such cars as job cars. I got the first one from 40.000 Km and used until 128.000 and the second one from 0 Km to 80.000.

The only problems I ever had with this cars was the tears. But now I could say that it's really a reliable car. And trust me, I didn't take care of these cars. I just used them in any condition, on any roads and fast in general. So.. I could say: excellent as long as they have under 150.000 km.

Hi I own a Matiz SE+ since 3 1/2 years, but I have had no big problems with the engine or with water coolant system although I am from the island of Malta where we have very dry summer. The only thing I don t like of my matiz is gear shifting especially from 1st to 2nd which I find quite unsmooth. Then also I find problems with my factory installed sunroof because it leaks when it rains cats and dogs although it is closed and locked! The last problem I meet is a piston of my rear right wheel, in winter because of humidity it tends to jam. But I still love it.

My girlfriend drives a Matiz0.8 since 2001-the odo stands at 82000 km. Now we wish to sell it. One morning while she was driving the car overheated and she stopped to check. There was no water. Just a week ago the car was serviced. Her father checked to see what the problem was and thought it was the waterpump, but, infact he found that at the back of the head, just above the waterpump,there is a leak from where the water came out. There is a screw which was tight, but the water still came out. We are not technical people, but would like to know what the problem might be.

I bought a Daewoo Matiz just before christmas and have had nothing, but problems. I was driving down a duel carrage way when I noticed the temperature was extremly high. When I pulled over and checked the engine there was no water at all in the coolant system.

I filled it back up thinking it was a one of, but the problem continued. Then just a few days later I was driving and the car popped out of gear and would work in 2nd or 3rd Gear.

After going to a Dawoo dealer who said it needed a new valve and gear cable and waiting over 3 weeks for the parts, the gear box is still clunky and it still appears to be leaking water, although not as much, I am at a loss of what to do next!!!

A truly love or hate relationship with the Matiz. I'm afriad to say "HATE". Just so many things have gone wrong, that it is shamefull. Even though I have looked after the car and have had it serviced.

I have repaired:

Exhaust

Cat converter

Brake issues (dangerous when driving)

Wheel bearings x 2

Windscreen washer motor

Ignition leads

Cooling system faults

Gear box replaced

Tick-over problems (several times)...etc..etc

Finally, the engine blow. Yes, the engine went "bang" and left me in a very bad position. This is not a car to rely on under any circumstances. Only buy or use a Matiz as a second mode of transport or "runabout". These cars are really not built with more than four years in mind. If you have an older model Matiz, with over 40k miles then serioulsy have the car checked by a mechanic who you can trust to give you an honest 'health check' of the car. My friend also had a Matiz and sadly went down the same sorrow road as myself. He parted with his Matiz, when his gearbox also lost function on a hill, changeing down into second gear. You have been warned. If you have recently bought one then please please, do yourself a favour and get a warranty from a decent warranty company. You'll be thankful.

I sell used cars for a living and have sold a lot of used daewoo matiz's, after experiencing cooling system, gear box and tick over problems (which is usually the engine control unit) we will never sell another one again, they will all be disposed of through auction.

I have a 98 Matiz with 180.000 Km. So far the only problem was a fuel pump at 70.000 km which was replaced under warranty and an intake manifold gasket at 160.000 Km.

Engine runs great and I intent to keep this car for another 8 years and 360,000 km.

Preco@dr.com Greece.

I have just recently bought a daewoo matiz at first I thought it was great no problems at all. within a week of me owning it my gears went on me, it cost me a lot of money to get it fixed other than that I think it is a nice car.

I Brought a Matiz in march on Ebay. (SE 2003) Very nice car apart from the gearbox. I find it very hard changing from the first gear to the second gear. Iv taken it to my mechanic and he told me that's how these cars are made. Quite frustrating.

For the past year I have had to check and top up the water in my Matiz more than usual. Then last week I discovered all the water pouring out from beneath the car. The manifold was leaking and in fact was so corroded that it had to be replaced at considerable cost. I've done approx 40,000 miles and apparently this is a common problem with these cars.

Apart from that, it has been very reliable, but I recommend it as a runabout in town, and it's not really suitable for long journeys.

I absolutely HATE my Matiz and, unfortunately, I'm stuck with it. Recently while going very slowly over a speed bump I put my foot on the brake and NOTHING!! Completely flat to the floor!! Oddly enough I was right outside a Chevrolet dealership. I took my car in and told them what had happened. I was told there was absolutely nothing wrong with the brakes. Last Sunday, driving out of a car park exactly the same thing happened again. Now I have to pump the brakes to get them to work. I will NEVER use a dealership again. This time it's going into my local garage where I know it will be thoroughly investigated. However, as soon as I can get rid of this pile of junk the happier I shall be. I have never felt so vulnerable in a car in all my life.

Hi,

Have had my Matiz since August 2000 (Feb Built in Korea). Have driven the car all over East coast of Australia without fault though have bent a wheel and wrecked tire in large pot hole (hey it could happen to any car!) & when doors locked tried stupidly to open right hand side door catch - broke away completely in my hand.

Easy to service yourself - except can't find the radiator drain plug for flushing purposes (need to drain from lower hose only??). Thanks.

Bought my matiz brand new in 00.car was recalled about 1 year later due to corrosive anti freeze being fitted. since then I've had to replace heater rad twice and inlet manifold. heater has never being same also had to replace plug leads. distributor cap full of water needs to be cheacked reg. never again what a pile of...

We have owned our matiz se for 3 years now I hate it, but the wife loves it it's a 2002 model with 28000 miles the wife told me that she wants a newer model, hey she`s happy it keeps her off my car the problems we have had one injector was blocked which I sorted and it has had 3 clutch cables on as they snap at pedal and are arkward to fit I have modified the cltch cable (replaced aluminium loop with a metal link)

I have had my matiz for 8 months now and had problems from the start really, first my gears wound not work something to do with the cables still very notchy now, then the fan belt broke, breaks shoes needed to be changed, the window screen washers (pump) is not working. And last, but not least the interior mirror won't stay on, and have been too many mechanics now trying another mirror. Well the only good things are cheap to buy and good with petrol consumption.