Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Petit monospace de 4,05 m, 5 places et 354 litres de coffre. Le guide Carwise relève 5 défauts connus dont un défaut de sécurité (rupture structurelle d'un élément de suspension), de la corrosion de structure et une fuite de direction assistée. Les retours publiés viennent d'une seule source : contrôlez l'état de la caisse et du train avant, et préférez les exemplaires de 2005 et après.
- Reliability
- 4.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €3,000 – €3,000
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.6.
1.6
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 103 hp · Crit'Air 3
Essence de 1 599 cm3 et 103 ch, boîte manuelle (Caroom). Carwise conseille de préférer le 1.6 essence au diesel.
1.5 CRDi
Diesel · Manual · 102 hp · Crit'Air 4
Diesel de 1 493 cm3 et 102 ch, 235 Nm, boîte manuelle à 5 rapports (Caroom, millésimes 2005 à 2010).
Market prices
€3,000 – €3,000
Indicative range: 2005 à 2008, médianes par année de 12 annonces en ligne relevées par iAutos (années d'au moins 3 annonces).
Collected on 28 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Importing this model
Prices abroad
Yearly medians of each country's listings (AutoScout24, in euros; United Kingdom: cinch dealer, in pounds), over years with at least 3 listings. Useful to judge an import (add transport, inspection and registration).
| Country | Range | Median | Gap vs France | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | €3,000 – €3,000 (2005 to 2008) | €3,000 | — | — |
| Germany | €1,500 – €2,980 (2005 to 2009) | €1,995 | — | 36 |
Median gap shown only when the country's estimate covers the same years as the French one. Add transport, roadworthiness test and registration.
You are importing the car to:
Import penalty (malus) in France
- The CO₂ malus follows the scale of the year the vehicle was first registered, in France or abroad (WLTP or NEDC scale depending on its registration certificate).
- For an imported used car, it is reduced by a flat-rate discount based on its age in months (scheme in force since 1 March 2025). The weight malus also applies on first registration in France.
- Production ended in 2010: a car first registered before 1 January 2015 has no malus.
Source: BOFiP (French tax doctrine), CO₂ and weight malus · CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
Paperwork and procedures
- Importing a used car from another EU country: the step-by-step process
- Importing a car from an EU country: all the documents to gather
- Carte grise for an imported car: cost, taxes and the official simulator
- CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
- Importing a used car from outside the European Union: the steps
- Buying a used car in Germany and bringing it back to France
Importing and registering in Belgium: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in Switzerland: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing a car into Switzerland: customs, tax and registration
Importing and registering in Luxembourg: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in the United Kingdom: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Check an imported car's history
HistoVec only covers the vehicle's life in France. For a car coming from abroad, a VIN-based report helps spot inconsistent mileage or a reported accident.
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
Known faults
Note: some faults below are cited by a single source only. They are still to be confirmed and the reliability score is only indicative.
Rupture structurelle d'un élément de suspension
Severity 3/3 · SeriousCarwise classe la défaillance structurelle d'un composant de suspension comme le défaut le plus sérieux de la génération FC (2001-2010) et comme son seul défaut de sécurité. Le site chiffre la réparation de 300 à 800 livres en garage indépendant. Source unique : à confirmer.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 1.6, 1.5 CRDi
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Fuite et défaillance de la direction assistée
Severity 2/3 · CostlyCarwise recense une fuite de liquide de direction assistée pouvant aller jusqu'à la défaillance du système sur la génération FC. Source unique : à confirmer.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 1.6, 1.5 CRDi
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Corrosion de la structure
Severity 2/3 · CostlyCarwise signale une corrosion structurelle du véhicule sur la génération FC. Source unique : à confirmer.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 1.6, 1.5 CRDi
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Hyundai Matrix”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Inspection checklist
Hyundai Matrix I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Inspecter le dessous de caisse, les bas de caisse et les points d'ancrage du train avant : corrosion de structure signalée.
- Faire contrôler les éléments de suspension et leurs fixations (défaut de sécurité signalé).
- Chercher des traces d'huile de direction assistée autour de la crémaillère et des durites.
- Éviter les exemplaires 2001-2003, ceux qui, selon Carwise, cumulent le plus de soucis de boîte et d'électricité.
- Demander le carnet d'entretien et les factures.
Questions to ask the seller
- La suspension et le train avant ont-ils été contrôlés ou remplacés récemment ?
- Y a-t-il déjà eu une fuite ou un bruit de direction assistée ?
- La voiture a-t-elle passé le contrôle technique sans remarque de corrosion ?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Matio, CC BY-SA 3.0
Toyota Corolla Verso
I · 2001–2004
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opel Meriva
A · 2003–2010
- Price
- €3,000 – €3,500
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Hyundai Matrix I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Quel est le coffre de la Hyundai Matrix ?
354 litres, jusqu'à 1 284 litres banquette rabattue selon Caroom.
Quelle motorisation choisir ?
Carwise recommande le 1.6 essence plutôt que le diesel.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Hyundai Matrix listing: price, mileage, watch points.
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