Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel car check
Is the Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel reliable? We analysed 328 real MOT tests across 101 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel.
Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 131 | 63.4% | 103,416 | 128,012 | 145,560 |
| 1988 | 77 | 59.7% | 112,308 | 123,645 | 145,165 |
| 1987 | 66 | 68.2% | 39,130 | 75,830 | 127,112 |
How Long Does a Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Last?
Based on 101 Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel vehicles on UK roads.
Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.2% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
59.7% MOT pass rate from 77 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.2% across 66 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel THIS CAR | 63.7% | 328 | 122,939 mi | 39 yrs |
| Austin Mini Mayfair | 64.7% | 51,788 | 54,118 mi | 44 yrs |
| Austin Mini 1000 City E | 64.5% | 44,703 | 54,880 mi | 44 yrs |
| Austin Mini | 75.1% | 18,242 | 47,796 mi | 66 yrs |
| Ktm 890 Adventure R 21 | 91.2% | 511 | 7,694 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Austin Maestro 500 City DieselShould you buy a used Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel?
The Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.7% across 328 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (50 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (43), and suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (40). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel owner drives around 1,775 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Austin Maestro 500 City Diesel models stay on UK roads for around 39 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.